Steve and Nick strap-in for puns, parodies, and family drama as they examine Kōji Kumeta's Kakushigoto.― Steve and Nick strap-in for puns, parodies, and family drama as they examine Koji Kumeta's Kakushigoto. The series' stunning visuals are the backdrop in a story about one father's quest to keep his daughter from finding out his line of work as an ecchi manga artist. The premise seems thin; can i...

Sega announces its tiniest mobile platform yet. Meanwhile, other big gaming announcements are on hold as companies rightfully give the podium over to protestors.― Hey. So, uh, this is one of those exceedingly rare times when I really don't want to talk about videogames, given, y'know, everything going on here on Planet Earth at the moment. And I'm definitely not alone here, because a whole mess of a...

Dorohedoro somehow perfected the balance of mystery, absurd violence, and humor into a single hellishly beautiful package.― Imagine yourself in the remnants of a industrial wasteland. The horizon is nothing but rusted metal, billowing smoke, and cold grey skies. There are few options to make your way in a world like this. Businesses hire residents to clean up viscera in the back alleys where Sorcere...

2 manga to launch in Comic Zero-Sum magazine, Zero-Sum Online― The official website for MBS' GET UP! GET LIVE! franchise unveiled the staff, cast, July 10 premiere, and key visual for its upcoming short anime GET UP! GET LIVE! #GeraGera featuring super-deformed characters on Sunday. The website also announced two upcoming manga adaptations. The Tenshin comedy duo's Seitarō Mukai (Maesetsu!) is credi...

Saturday, June 6

Kiramager star Rio Komiya recovered from COVID-19, with filming resuming on June 1― Toei's live-action tokusatsu (special-effects) series Kamen Rider Zero-One and Mashin Sentai Kiramager will both resume airing new episodes on TV Asahi and its affiliates on June 21. On that day, Kamen Rider Zero-One will air episode 35.5 "Nani ga MetsubōJinrai o Tsukutta no ka?" (What Created MetsubōJinrai.net?), wh...

Suspect of Kyoto Animation arson alleged that studio 'stole his novel'― Anime studio BONES released a statement on its website on Wednesday asking the general public not to submit story ideas. The company states that "this is to avoid any unfortunate disputes or controversies that may arise from any coincidental identicality or similarities between the submitted ideas and intellectual property origi...

Painter Anzu Kanie to co-direct project with planned release in 2022― The Motion Gallery website launched a crowdfunding project on Saturday to fund a feature-length anime film project based on Finnish author Leena Krohn's Sfinksi vai Robotti (Sphinx or Robot) book. The book's release in Japan is titled Sphinx ka Robot ka, and it contains three works, including the Taiyō no Kodomo-tachi (Children of...

Manga adapts novels by Elegant Yokai Apartment Life author Hinowa Kōzuki― The July issue of Kodansha's good! Afternoon magazine published the final chapter of the "first season" on Friday of Hinowa Kōzuki and Mimori's Jigokudō Reikai Tsūshin (Jigokudō Spiritual World Communication) manga. The manga's second season will start this fall. The manga entered the final arc of its first season in May 2018....

Discotek to release Caligula, Lupin III: Dragon of Doom, Crusher Joe: The OVA's anime on BD on August 25― Discotek Media announced on Friday that it has licensed Caligula, the television anime adaptation of FuRyu's The Caligula Effect game, and it will release the series on Blu-ray Disc on August 25. The company also revealed details of four other previously announced anime releases. Discotek will r...

Tour was scheduled for July with stops in U.S., Canada, Mexico― Rock band RADWIMPS announced on Thursday that they are canceling their world tour this year due to concerns about the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. The tour was scheduled to have stops in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The canceled tour dates and venues are as follows: Los Angeles (The Wiltern): July 15 Dallas (Ca...

Love Live! voice actress Pile also participates in the Blackout Tuesday hashtag, among other artists and celebrities― Chihayafuru manga creator Yuki Suetsugu tweeted about her support for the Black Lives Matter movement on Thursday. She initially tweeted her general thoughts on racism before eventually using the #BlackLivesMatter hashtag. Her first tweet is translated as follows: "I seriously hate t...

When the Clock Strikes Z, Monster Tamer, The Epic Tale of the Reincarnated Prince Herscherik novels debut― J-Novel Club announced on Friday that it has licensed the When the Clock Strikes Z, Monster Tamer, and The Epic Tale of the Reincarnated Prince Herscherik light novels, as well as the Bibliophile Princess manga and The Tales of Marielle Clarac manga. Parts of the first volume of each work will ...

Average print circulation for Weekly Shonen Jump in 2018 was 1.64 million― Shueisha released its "Media Guide 2020" document in May, which gives information about its various magazines to advertisers, including the company's manga magazines. The guide lists print circulation numbers and demographic information for the magazines. The circulation numbers listed below are average numbers for the time p...

― The 12th volume of Koyoharu Gotouge's Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba manga ranked at #11 on The New York Times' monthly Graphic Books and Manga bestseller list released in early June. The New York Times posted its first Graphic Books and Manga bestseller list in October, and it is one category of the newspaper's new bestseller lists. Dragon Ball Super volume 6 ranked at #14 on the list in October,...

Kaori Tsurutani's series follows elderly woman, high school girl on journey through boy's love fandom― Manga creator Kaori Tsurutani revealed on Twitter on Friday that her BL Metamorphosis (Metamorphose no Engawa) series has "a little bit remaining." The manga's 47th chapter debuted on Kadokawa's Comic Newtype web manga site on Friday. Seven Seas Entertainment is releasing the series in English, and...

Series centers on tall woman, short man who waltz together― The July issue of Mag Garden's Monthly Comic Garden magazine announced on Friday that Kikori Morino will launch the Dekoboko no Waltz (Uneven Waltz) manga in the next issue on July 4. The manga centers on a female teacher who is around 180 centimeters (about 5 feet 11 inches) tall and a man who is about 160 centimeters (about 5 feet 3 inche...

New titles release on June 12-13― Manga Planet announced on Thursday that it has acquired the licenses for the manga titles Butterfly Storage by Icori Ando and The Flavours of Kumika by Akihiro Ononaka from Tokuma Shoten. The following titles will release on the Manga Planet website in June: Title: Butterfly Storage Author: Icori Ando Debut Date: June 12 Synopsis: When a person dies, their soul turn...

12-episode series delayed from planned fall debut― The official website for Ichigo Animation and Mamoru Oshii's new anime series VladLove began streaming a Maki Watabe character video on Friday. The 12-episode anime was originally slated to debut this fall but was delayed due to the effects of the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. The anime's previously announced cast and characters are: ...

Live-action Kingdom film earns 16.5% rating, NHK's VTuber show earns 3.8% rating― The live-action film of Yasuhisa Hara's Kingdom manga aired on NTV on Friday, May 29 at 9:00 p.m., and it earned a 16.5% rating. Editor's Note: Many of the anime below are currently airing reruns due to the ongoing new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Title Station Date Time Length Average Household Rating Saza...

Tarot fantasy manga launched in 2007― The July issue of Akita Shoten's Princess magazine announced on Friday that Rika Suzuki's Tableau Gate manga is entering its climax. The manga's 24th compiled book volume will ship on August 17. The manga's story centers around the lonely boy Satsuki, who comes into the possession of the "Tablet," a collection of tarot illustrations. He soon makes the acquaintan...

Staff cite COVID-19 as reason for delay― The official website for the Tsukiuta. THE ANIMATION anime franchise revealed on Friday that the Tsukiuta. THE ANIMATION 2 sequel is delayed again from July to October. The staff cited the effects of the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic as the reason for the delay. The anime was originally scheduled to premiere in 2019, before being delayed to Apri...

"Live-action movie game" also planned for PS4, PC― The official Twitter account for the the Death Come True game revealed on Friday that the game will launch on June 25 for the Nintendo Switch, iOS, and Android. The game will retail for 1,960 yen (about US$17.90). The game is also planned to launch for Playstation 4 and PC at a later date. The staff are also streaming a new video featuring Jiro Sato...

Anime based on S. Korean smartphone RPG will premiere this fall― The official website for King's Raid: Ishi o Tsugumono-tachi (Heirs of the Will), the television anime adaptation of South Korean developer Vespa's King's Raid smartphone RPG app, revealed on Friday that the anime will have two original characters. The characters are dark elves and siblings, and their cast members are: Ryōta Suzuki as ...

Hokazono, Nao Kurebayashi's manga launched on June 2; Okada, Hitomi Takano's manga launches on June 28― The LINE manga app announced on Tuesday that it will launch eight new manga in June, including two new manga by Masaya Hokazono (Inugami), Nao Kurebayashi, Shinichi Okada (Dorei-ku: Boku to 23-nin no Dorei), and Hitomi Takano (My Boy). Masaya Hokazono and Nao Kurebayashi's Naoko ~Pumpkin Night Gai...

Shinta Sakayama's manga featuring erotic scenarios debuted in June 2018― The official Twitter account of Aka Akasaka's Kaguya-sama: Love is War (Kaguya-sama wa Kokurasetai: Tensai-tachi no Renai Zunōsen) manga revealed on Thursday that Shinta Sakayama's Kaguya-sama wa Kokurasetai: Dōjin-ban (Kaguya-sama: Love is War - Dōjin Edition) spinoff manga will end at the end of this month on Shueisha's Tonar...

4 net episodes about grandma exploring meaning of "mottainai" & ecological awareness― Kodansha unveiled a new short net anime based on Mariko Shinju's Mottainai Grandma picture book series on Friday. Kodansha is producing the anime alongside the Japanese government's Ministry of the Environment. Keiko Toda voices the titular Grandma in the anime. The first episode, released on World Environment Day,...

Manga based on Hyakunin Isshu poem anthology debuted in March 2018― Fumiyo Kouno (In This Corner of the World's) ended her Hyakuichi - hyakuichi (101 - One Hundred One) manga on its 100th chapter in Nihonbungeisha's Weekly Manga Goraku magazine on Friday. The official Twitter account for the magazine had revealed last Friday that the manga was ending. フルカラー1コマ漫画連載「#百一」 今週は裏表紙の裏 ❣️ そして今回が第99回 来週発売号の第...

3rd & final season was scheduled for April before COVID-19 delay― The official website for the anime of Wataru Watari's My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong, As I Expected (Yahari Ore no Seishun Love Come wa Machigatteiru.) light novel series began streaming a new promotional video for My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU Climax (Yahari Ore no Seishun Love Come wa Machigatteiru. Kan), the third anime season, ...

'POKÉTOON: Scraggy and Mimikyu' is available on YouTube― The Pokémon Kids TV YouTube channel released an animated short on Friday titled "POKÉTOON: Scraggy and Mimikyu." The four-minute video shows strong influences of classic American cartoons such as The Looney Tunes. The "Chase the Beans" episode shows Scraggy's slapstick escapades as he tries to collection all the beans on the train. He encounte...

Paid digital content grew 21% to 240.4 billion yen― The Japan Video Software Association (JVA) and Digital Entertainment Group Japan (DEG Japan) released on May 27 their report on the video market in Japan from January to December 2019. The report revealed that the Japanese video market was worth a total of 563.8 billion yen (about US$5.23 billion), a 0.2% increase from 2018. The market encompasses ...

Thursday, June 4

Furukawa plays Company 4 captain, academy instructor in July anime― The official website for the anime of Atsushi Ohkubo's Fire Force (En En no Shōbōtai) manga began streaming a new video for the anime on Friday, which reveals that Daisuke Ono will join the cast as the character Pan Ko Paat. The character is the captain of the Fire Force Company 4, and was also Shinra and Arthur's instructor at the ...

Steve and Nick strap-in for puns, parodies, and family drama as they examine Kōji Kumeta's Kakushigoto.― Steve and Nick strap-in for puns, parodies, and family drama as they examine Koji Kumeta's Kakushigoto. The series' stunning visuals are the backdrop in a story about one father's quest to keep his daughter from finding out his line of work as an ecchi manga artist. The premise seems thin; can i...

Manga of Kei Ii's mystery novel debuted on Friday― Shinya Minami launched a manga adaptation of Kei Ii's Woodpecker Detective's Office (Kitsutsuki Tantei-Dokoro) mystery novel in the July issue Kodansha's Young Magazine the 3rd magazine on Friday. The manga debuted with color pages. The novel's story is set in 1909 during Japan's Meiji era, and centers on fictional versions of real-world poet Takubo...

Idea Factory/Compile Heart's VVVtunia game delayed to August 6 in Japan― Idea Factory International announced on Thursday that it will release Idea Factory and Compile Heart's VVVtunia game under the title Neptunia Virtual Stars physically and digitally for the PlayStation 4 in the West in 2021. The release will have Japanese and English audio and English subtitles. Idea Factory International descri...

Sega announces its tiniest mobile platform yet. Meanwhile, other big gaming announcements are on hold as companies rightfully give the podium over to protestors.― Hey. So, uh, this is one of those exceedingly rare times when I really don't want to talk about videogames, given, y'know, everything going on here on Planet Earth at the moment. And I'm definitely not alone here, because a whole mess of a...

When the focus is on our dysfunctional wolf pack, the show is at its best. Kiba and Hige are the simplest and least developed of the two so far, but they're likable, which goes a long way in vague setups like this.

June 4 is Bug Day in Japan― Manga artist Inio Asano drew an original character for a full-page ad published in Thursday's issues of the Asahi Shimbun and Yomiuri Shimbun newspapers. The art was commissioned by the pharmaceuticals manufacturer Earth Corporation, and commemorates "Bug Day" on June 4. In 2017, Earth Corporation rebranded its insect repellent products from "bug killers" to "bug care." T...

The Poe Clan, Witch Hat Atelier, My Solo Exchange Diary among other nominees― Comic-Con International announced the nominees for this year's Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards on Thursday. Kousuke Oono's The Way of the Househusband is nominated in the Best Humor Publication category, while Kabi Nagata's My Solo Exchange Diary (volume 2) is nominated in the Best Reality-Based Work category. Gou Tanabe...

Duck isn't the only one who is figuring out that she's living in a storybook – Rue and Fakir are also very much aware with the strong implication that they are trying to keep it from being completed as their original author intended.

Various Japanese musicians and celebrities also speak out against racism― On Sunday, Japanese rapper Lotus Juice wrote a series of tweets expressing his support for the Black Lives Matter movement. The rapper, who lived in New Jersey since he was eight years old before returning to Japan to attend university and start his music career, recounted his experiences with racism in the United States as fo...

Developers make "final adjustments," fix issues from beta― The official English website for Bandai Namco Entertainment's Tales of Crestoria smartphone game for iOS and Android announced on Thursday that the game has been delayed from its slated release in early June. The game's producer Tomomi Tagawa said the developers are making "final adjustments, and fixing any issues found during the beta test....

Game adds new dungeon, monsters, quests, costumes, more― Entergram opened an official website for its Kono Subarashii Sekai ni Shukufuku o! ~Kibō no Meikyū Tsudoi Shi Bōkensha-tachi Plus~ PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch game on Thursday to reveal the game's added features and August 27 release. The game will add the new dungeon "Goblin Caves," more Guild Quests, event CG, and new costumes as rewar...

Series resumes 9:00 a.m. Sunday timeslot on Fuji TV― The official Twitter account of the Digimon franchise announced on Sunday that the Digimon Adventure: anime will restart its broadcast on June 7 at 9:00 a.m. JST. Fuji TV and other networks will begin rebroadcasting the series from episode 1. The anime is resuming its previous Sunday timeslot from before new episodes were delayed. The anime's offi...

Sequel to Root Letter launches in Japan on July 30 after delay― Kadokawa Games began streaming the third trailer for its Root Film game for Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4 on Thursday. The video previews the theme song "Utakata no Hikari" (Ephemeral Light) performed by i☆Ris. The game will debut in Japan on July 30 after a delay. The game was originally slated to launch on April 23. PQube and Kado...

Takemaru Yokoshima draws new manga for July 4 launch― The July issue of Kadokawa's Young Ace magazine revealed on Thursday that Sanrio's Show By Rock!! franchise will have a manga adaptation based on the franchise's original television anime. Takemaru Yokoshima (Fate/Grand Order Duel: YA Tokuiten Misshitsu Yūgi Makyō Shibuya: Shibuya Kettō J) is drawing the manga, which will launch in the magazine's...

Anime premieres on TV in Japan, streaming on Crunchyroll in July― Crunchyroll revealed on Wednesday the theme song artists for the television anime of Yongje Park's The God of High School manhwa. KSUKE is performing the anime's opening theme song "Contradiction feat. Tyler Carter," and band CIX are performing the ending theme song "WIN." Both songs are new tracks created for the anime. The anime wil...

Keiichiro Kawaguchi directs, Mitsutaka Hirota writes script, Akiharu Ishii designs characters for new anime in Prince of Tennis franchise― This year's July issue of Shueisha's Jump SQ. magazine confirmed on Thursday the staff for The New Prince of Tennis: Hyotei vs Rikkai Game of Future, the new anime in Takeshi Konomi's Prince of Tennis franchise. Keiichiro Kawaguchi (ISLAND) is directing the anime...

Crunchyroll Expo 2021 scheduled for August 6-8― Crunchyroll announced on Wednesday that it has canceled this year's Crunchyroll Expo convention, due to the nature of the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and in order to emphasize the health of attendees, staff, exhibitors, and guests. The event's website will post information regarding ticket transfers and refunds later this week. Crunchyroll Expo ...

Goro Miyazaki's CG movie of Howl's Moving Castle author's novel premieres on TV this winter― The Festival de Cannes announced its Official Selection of films on Wednesday, and the list includes Studio Ghibli and Goro Miyazaki's newly announced Earwig and the Witch (Aya to Majo) anime movie. The announcement reveals the movie's 82-minute runtime and its international sales agent, French distributor W...

Originally slated for July 23― Sunrise announced on Thursday that it has delayed the opening date for the Mobile Suit Gundam: Hathaway (Kidō Senshi Gundam: Senkō no Hathaway) anime film project due to the effects of the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19). The film's website and social media accounts will announce a new opening date for the film as soon as it is decided. The film was originally slate...

Wednesday, June 3

Comes in 4 colors, each with 4 unique games― Sega provided more details on the October 6 launch of the Game Gear Micro, a miniature version of its classic handheld Game Gear system, in Japan on Wednesday. The Game Gear Micro will launch in four different variants, each with its own color and unique four-game lineup. The system will retail for 4,980 yen (about US$46). Sega began streaming a trailer: ...

BURNOUT SYNDROMES' special unit performs theme with Yoshitsugu Matsuoka― This year's July issue of Shueisha's Jump SQ. magazine revealed on Thursday that the television anime of Ryōma Kitada's Dokyū Hentai HxEros manga will premiere on July 3. The anime's official website also revealed the anime's second key visual and the anime's theme song artists. HXEROS SYNDROMES — a new special unit produced by...

Children of the Sea creator Daisuke Igarashi draws Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba― The latest issue of the culture magazine Brutus, which went on sale on Monday, is themed around "love for manga," and features six illustrations by various manga artists drawing images of other manga that they love. The list is as follows: Daisuke Igarashi (Children of the Sea) drew Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Rens...

Digital copies of 'Endless ~Across the Time~' song are available to download from anime's website after donation― The Gibiate anime series announced on Monday that it will sell digital downloads of the ending theme song "Endless ~Across the Time~" for users who donate money to the project's charity fund. All proceeds will go to COVID-19 relief funds and supporting medical professionals combating the...

Filming will have safety guidelines in place to minimize contact between people― TV Asahi announced last Saturday that it has resumed filming on seven television programs, including the Kamen Rider Zero-One and Mashin Sentai Kiramager tokusatsu (live-action special-effects) live-action series, with guidelines to ensure the safety of the production. The announcement confirmed an earlier report by the...

Bluefin Brands will distribute the set overseas― Bandai Spirits, the makers of the iconic Gunpla kits, have produced a model kit for Nissin's Cup Noodle brand. The life-sized "Best Hit Chronicle 1/1 Cup Noodle" kit is based on a variety of Cup Noodle that was born in 2019, and will go on sale on September 18. Blufin Brands announced it will distribute the kit to those of us on the otherside of the P...

Smartphone version of browser game launched in 2015― The official website for Square Enix's Dragon Quest Dokodemo Monster Parade smartphone game announced on Monday that the game will end its service on July 31. The game tasks players with managing a traveling caravan of monsters to accomplish missions. The game is the smartphone version of the earlier Dragon Quest Monster Parade browser game. That ...

VVVtunia delayed to August 6, Mary Skelter Finale to October 8― Compile Heart announced on Tuesday that it has delayed the release of both its VVVtunia and Kangokutō Mary Skelter Finale games. VVVtunia was originally slated for release for the PlayStation 4 on July 2, but is now slated for August 6. Kangokutō Mary Skelter Finale was previously slated for release for the PS4 and Nintendo Switch on Au...

Javier Grillo-Marxuach: "If you're doing Cowboy Bebop, you're doing Cowboy Bebop."― Science fiction news website io9 posted an update on Netflix's live-action adaptation of Sunrise's Cowboy Bebop anime on Tuesday after speaking with writer Javier Grillo-Marxuach. Grillo-Marxuach confirmed that Ein will be a corgi, just as in the original anime. He also told io9 that the show's style and substance wi...

This is not some fluffy shoujo story – there's blood and gore and, more to the point, deaths that feel senseless. Escaflowne isn't just transporting Hitomi to Gaea or introducing Van as a love interest; it's showing us the start of a war.

Series' 7th, final compiled book volume ships on August 6― This year's July issue of Kodansha's Nakayoshi magazine revealed on Wednesday that Haruyuki Yoshida's Cells at Work: Bacteria! (Hataraku Saikin) spinoff of Akane Shimizu's Cells at Work! (Hataraku Saibō) manga will end in the magazine's next issue on July 3. The manga's seventh and final compiled book volume will ship in Japan on August 6. K...

Dorohedoro somehow perfected the balance of mystery, absurd violence, and humor into a single hellishly beautiful package.― Imagine yourself in the remnants of a industrial wasteland. The horizon is nothing but rusted metal, billowing smoke, and cold grey skies. There are few options to make your way in a world like this. Businesses hire residents to clean up viscera in the back alleys where Sorcere...

4 series debut digitally in English in July― Kodansha Comics' website is listing four new manga titles that will debut digitally in July. The following titles are new licenses that will launch on Tuesdays in July: Title: Cells at Work: Bacteria! (Hataraku Saikin) Creators: Akane Shimizu, Haruyuki Yoshida Debut Date: July 7 Synopsis: Cells are not the only things at work in your body! Deep in your gu...

Gakuto Mikumo's series launched in 2011, inspired TV anime in 2013― The official Twitter account for Kadokawa's Dengeki Bunko imprint revealed on Wednesday that the main story of Gakuto Mikumo's Strike the Blood novel series will end in the 22nd compiled book volume on August 7. The novels debuted in 2011 with Manyako's illustrations, and the 21st volume shipped on January 10. TATE serialized a mang...

Also: Misato Fukuen, Sawako Hata, Sarah Emi Bridcutt― The staff of the fifth season of the Tenchi Muyo! Ryo Ohki original video anime (OVA) series revealed six new cast members for the anime on Wednesday. The new cast members include: Yoshiya Naruke as Shō Kukoma Hana Takeda as Miron Pham Kei Shindou as Dird Shank Misato Fukuen as Alea Varta Sawako Hata as Apuesta da Rumah Sarah Emi Bridcutt as Palt...

Film opens in November after COVID-19 delay― The official website and Twitter account for the Monster Strike The Movie: Lucifer Zetsubō no Yoake (Lucifer Dawn of Despair) film began streaming a promotional video for the film on Wednesday. The video previews the film's theme song "Eiyū no Uta" (Heroes' Song) by Masayoshi Ōishi. The film has been rescheduled for November. The film had been delayed fro...

Hayao Miyazaki develops studio's 1st 3D CG feature helmed by his son for NHK TV this winter― Studio Ghibli announced on Wednesday that it is producing an anime movie adaptation of author Diana Wynne Jones' Earwig and the Witch (Aya to Majo) novel for a television premiere on the NHK General channel this winter. Hayao Miyazaki's son Goro Miyazaki is directing the movie as the studio's first full 3D C...

4 shorts entirely done via remote work for June 10 premiere― AT-X and anime studio Gaina (formerly Fukushima Gainax) revealed a new anime series titled Staying Babies, a spinoff of its Hulaing Babies anime, on Wednesday. The anime will have four episodes, all produced remotely during Japan's state of emergency. The shorts will premiere on AT-X on June 10 during station identification breaks and will...

5-minute episodes about comedian/manga creator & his landlady debut on 5 consecutive days― NHK announced on Wednesday that the television anime of Tarō Yabe's Oya-san to Boku (Landlady and Me) essay manga will have five new five-minute episodes, with one new episode airing every day on NHK from June 8 to 12. The anime's 10th episode will star comedian Tomoharu Shoji as himself. The anime's first run...

Tuesday, June 2

New system evokes Sega's classic Game Gear handheld console― Sega announced on Wednesday that it will release the Game Gear Micro, a miniature version of its classic handheld Game Gear console. Sega will reveal more details about the console at 1:00 p.m. in Japan (midnight EDT). Sega released the original Game Gear in 1990. Compared to its contemporaries, the platform featured a full-color backlit s...

Originally slated for July 10― The official website for Gekijōban Seitokai Yakuindomo 2, the second film based on Tozen Ujiie's Seitokai Yakuindomo manga, announced on Wednesday that the film's production committee has delayed the film's opening due to the effects of the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19). The site will announce a new opening date as soon as it is decided, and people who bought adva...

Voice actress Yui Ishikawa, anime staff members also allegedly threatened― Police arrested 21-year-old male Kyoto resident Fukuta Kishimoto on Tuesday on suspicion of intimidation and forcible obstruction of business. According to the police's statement, the suspect had been threatening anime staff and cast members over the Internet. According to the Sankei Shimbun newspaper and the public televisio...

― Sony announced on Twitter on Monday that it has postponed its event, originally scheduled for June 4, that will highlight its upcoming PlayStation 5 console's game lineup. Sony stated that it does "not feel that right now is a time for celebration" and instead wants to "stand back and allow more important voices to be heard." Protests have flared across multiple cities in the United States after t...

Happy birthday Mitsuri Kanroji!― The Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba franchise is celebrating multiple things as we head into June: Mitsuri Kanroji's birthday on June 1, and the start of rainy season in the Shikoku region in Japan. 【#6月1日は甘露寺蜜璃の誕生日!!】本日6月1日は、鬼殺隊恋柱・甘露寺蜜璃の誕生日です!この特別な日を祝して、蜜璃のヘッダーをプレゼント!!魅力的なものにキュンと心をときめかせる蜜璃のヘッダー、是非ご活用ください。 pic.twitter.com/bzVFoyAveA— 鬼滅の刃公式 (@kimetsu_off) May 31, 2020...

― CG anime studio Orange president and founder Eiji Inomoto revealed in an interview during Anime Limited's Cloud Matsuri online event on Saturday that the company is working on a CG remake of an unnamed title that "might be familiar." The studio is known for its adaptation of Haruko Ishikawa's Land of the Lustrous manga, and most recently, Paru Itagaki's BEASTARS manga. The studio has also done CG ...

Eva-themed razor blades also announced― Eight years ago, the Japanese company Santen Pharmaceutical held a "Human Refreshment Project" promotion featuring characters from the Evangelion series for their Sante FX line of medicated eye drops. Now they're back with "The New Humanity Awakening Project," which sets out to open humanity's eyes with the help of their eye drops. The company released an ad f...

There's a slightly voyeuristic quality to much of this case. That may be too direct a word for what's going on, though, because there are many degrees of watching, or the idea of “watching,” that are present.

Trailer previews new Pokémon, additional features― The Pokémon Company revealed on Tuesday a new promotional video and the June 17 launch for "The Isle of Armor," the first of two expansions for the Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield Nintendo Switch role-playing games. The video previews new features and Pokémon in the expansions. New Pokémon in "The Isle of Armor" and "The Crown Tundra," which is sla...

Metropolis moved to phase 2 of recovery plan on Monday― The Tokyo Metropolitan Government issued an alert on Tuesday after Tokyo recorded 34 new infections of the new coronavirus on the same day. Officials stated that the rise in new COVID-19 cases is largely due to nosocomial (hospital-acquired) infections and nightlife activities in Shinjuku. Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike urged caution in light of T...

Theme park anticipates no delays due to COVID-19― Construction contractor Kajima Corporation is under a provisional contract to construct the first three areas of the planned Ghibli Park for 10,657,900,000 yen (about US$98,323,700), with construction beginning in July. Those areas of the theme park are slated to open in fall 2022, and the developers anticipate no delays related to the new coronaviru...

Video clip previews dub starring Luci Christian, Jason Douglas― Sentai Filmworks announced the English dub cast for After the Rain, the television anime of Jun Mayuzuki's Koi wa Ameagari no You ni (Love is Like After the Rain) manga, last Wednesday. The company began streaming an English dub clip. The cast members are: Luci Christian as Akira Jason Douglas as Kondo Shelley Calene-Black as Akira's Mo...

Yashahime: Princess Half-Demon anime with Sesshomaru, Inuyasha's daughters premieres in fall― The official Twitter account for Yashahime: Princess Half-Demon (Hanyō no Yashahime), the new anime spinoff of Rumiko Takahashi's Inuyasha series posted the original designs by Takahashi for three characters from Friday to Sunday. Towa Higurashi Setsuna Moroha The Twitter account also posted a character com...

Love rhythm game launched in 2015; new Étoile Stage game debuted in April with anime planned― The official website for Liber Entertainment Inc.'s original I★CHU smartphone game announced on Friday that the game will end its online service on July 6. However, Liber Entertainment will update the game on the same day to work offline. This offline version will be available until December 13, although pl...

Shinrei Kissa Extra no Himitsu: The Real Exorcist, Bloodshot rank #1, #5 as only new films― With the release of many new films postponed, the top 10 rankings at the Japanese box office for the past three weekends include nine previously released films. Japanese theater chains began to shut down in March due to the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Box office performance fell 90% by the first week ...

Monday, June 1

Delayed episode 4 to premiere on July 28― The production committee for Diary of Our Days at the Breakwater, the television anime of Yasuyuki Kosaka's Hōkago Teibō Nisshi manga, announced on Tuesday that the anime will restart its airing from its first episode in July. The anime will restart on AT-X, Tokyo MX, and MBS on July 7, on BS11 on July 8, and on RKK Kumamoto Housou on July 10. It will also r...

Video streamed for Gekijо̄ban BEM~BECOME HUMAN movie directed by Hiroshi Ikehata― The production committee of the new BEM anime in the Yōkai Ningen Bem (Humanoid Monster Bem) franchise announced on Tuesday that the anime will get a new movie titled Gekijо̄ban BEM~BECOME HUMAN in Japan this fall. The anime's official YouTube channel began streaming an announcement video: The staff revealed the movie'...

Sequel novel series ended in January after 5 years― Author Yukito Ayatsuji announced on his Twitter account on Monday that he has submitted the 1,200-page final draft for the compilation of his Another 2001 sequel novel series. He is aiming to have the compilation out by September. Another 2001 is the second sequel to Ayatsuji's Another horror novel. Ayatsuji launched the story in Kadokawa's Shōsets...

In-story idol unit's 4th single sells 24,000 before upcoming new film― "Mirai wa Onna no Tame ni Aru" (The Future Is For Women), the fourth single from the Macross Delta anime's in-story idol unit Walküre, sold about 24,000 copies to rank #1 in Oricon's weekly single chart for the May 25-31 week. This is the first time that the Walküre group has topped the ranking. The single shipped on May 27. Asid...

Available on Tuesday― Crunchyroll announced on Monday that it will add Tenchi Muyo! Ryo Ohki Dai-4-Ki, the fourth original video anime (OVA) season in the Tenchi Muyo! Ryo Ohki OVA series. The season will be available on Tuesday at 2:00 p.m. EDT for users in North America, Central America, South America, Europe, Africa, Oceania, the Middle East, and Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries...

Selection for the 10-day digital film festival on YouTube was curated by Tokyo International Film Festival― The We Are One: A Global Film Festival announced last Wednesday will stream the Happy Machine short film directed by Masaaki Yuasa (Devilman Crybaby, Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken!, Japan Sinks), which was originally created for the Genius Party anthology of short films produced by Studio 4℃. T...

Voice of Date a Live's Kurumi announced her marriage in 2013― Voice actress Asami Sanada (Date a Live's Kurumi, K-ON!'s Sawako, Di Gi Charat's title character) announced on her blog on Friday that she got divorced last year. She wrote: "It was a decision I made to be forward-looking in all ways. I'm sorry to all of you who celebrated my marriage, and that it took me so long to announce my divorce be...

Titles slated for August-Septemer delayed to December 2020-April 2021― Square Enix Manga & Books, Square Enix's North American publishing division, announced on Monday new release dates for manga affected by the new coronavirus disease's (COVID-19) impact on the company's production, shipping, and sales. The new release dates for the first volumes of the following manga, which the company announced ...

Takahiro Uezono will replace Yabuta as 3DCG director on new season directed at MAPPA― Vinland Saga director Shūhei Yabuta announced on Twitter on Friday that he storyboarded and directed the promotional video for the Attack on Titan The Final Season anime that debuted on the same day. He wrote: "By a curious coincidence, I drew the storyboard and directed the PV of #AoT Final Season! I'm so grateful...

Kotone Suzunami joins for game's season 2 released on Thursday― Mobcast's Evangelion Battlefields smartphone shooter game launched its second season on Thursday, introducing a new pilot character named Kotone Suzunami. The character is voiced by Megumi Han. Kotone is described on game's website as follows: "A new pilot who suddenly appeared at NERV. She is a classmate to Shinji and the others and re...

Game ships in Japan on July 9, West on July 10 after delay― Bandai Namco Entertainment Europe began streaming a new trailer on Monday for the Sword Art Online Alicization: Lycoris game. The trailer previews character customization and exploration. Bandai Namco Entertainment postponed the release for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One to July 9 and for PC via Steam to July 10 in Japan due to safety considera...

If there's one nice change about the Venice arc of Arte, it's that we get to see Arte interact with more female characters, which gives the show a chance to make up a little bit for cutting the Darcia storyline.

Hiina Narumi performs theme song "Okashiiwa!"― The official website for The Legend of Super Normal City Kashiwa (Chō Futsū Toshi Kashiwa Densetsu), the anime project that promotes the city of Kashiwa, Chiba, began streaming a promotional video on Monday for the third season titled Chō Futsū Toshi Kashiwa Densetsu R. The video previews Hiina Narumi's theme song "Okashiiwa!" The season will premiere o...

As much fun as it is to watch Myne go through her antics, she is clearly not heeding Ferdinand's advice about being discreet and cautious, and I expect that's going to come back to bite her before the season ends.

Volume listed with 2 new episodes ships on December 4― Amazon is listing the 24th compiled book volume of Tadahiro Miura's Yuuna and the Haunted Hot Springs (Yuragi-sō no Yūna-san) manga as bundling an anime Blu-ray Disc when it ships on December 4. The listing states that the Blu-ray Disc will include two episodes: "Noroware no Kogarashi" (Cursed Kogarashi) and "Giri Giri!? Onsen Happening" (In the...

Paramount Pictures Japan streams trailer, poster video― The official Japanese website for Paramount Pictures' Sonic the Hedgehog film announced on Monday that the film will open in Japan on June 26. Paramount Pictures Japan also began streaming a trailer (full and 30-second versions) and a poster promotional video. Towa Pictures announced on March 6 that it is delaying the opening of the film in Jap...

1st promo video previews Civilian's opening theme song― The official website for the television anime of Shu's The Misfit of Demon King Academy: History's Strongest Demon King Reincarnates and Goes to School with His Descendants (Maō Gakuin no Futekigōsha ~Shijō Saikyō no Maō no Shiso, Tensei Shite Shison-tachi no Gakkō e Kayō) light novel series revealed the first promotional video, opening theme s...

Award-winning film debuted in Japan in July 2018― Netflix began streaming Mamoru Hosoda's Mirai anime film in the United States on Monday. The film is available with both an English dub and subtitles. The 100-minute film opened at #2 at the box office in Japan in July 2018. GKIDS and Fathom Events began screening the film in 700 U.S. theaters in November 2018, and the film also screened that Decembe...

Manga inspired TV anime in April 2018― The Amazon listing of the 76th issue of Enterbrain's Harta magazine states that that Masao Ohtake's Hinamatsuri manga will end serialization in the issue on July 15. The 18th compiled book volume of the manga announced on April 15 that the manga will be ending with its 19th compiled volume in summer 2020. Ohtake launched the manga in Enterbrain's Fellows! magaz...

3rd compiled volume releases on July 27― Atlus announced on Twitter on Thursday that the 18th and final chapter of Rokuro Saitō's Persona 5: Mementos Mission manga will release on June 27 in the August issue of Kadokawa's Dengeki Maoh magazine. The third and final compiled volume of the manga will ship on July 27. 斉藤ロクロ先生が描くコミック『P5 メメントスミッション』の最新情報をお届け!6月27日発売の電撃マオウ8月号に最終話となる第18幕が掲載。そして、7月27日に単行本第3巻...

More episodes of Plunderer, Nekopara, Fruits Basket, Railgun T also added― Funimation started streaming the final English-dubbed episode of the If My Favorite Pop Idol Made it to the Budokan, I Would Die anime on Thursday at 4:00 p.m. EDT. Funimation also began streaming the following English-dubbed episodes in the last two weeks: Fruits Basket episode 6: June 1 at 1:05 p.m. EDT If My Favorite Pop I...

Fan art contest also announced― The official website for the Space Channel 5 VR PlayStation VR game announced the release date and details for the Space39 Miku Pack DLC on Saturday. The DLC will release on July 27 and will enable players to dance with the game's character Ulala and the Vocaloid character Hatsune Miku. The Space39 Miku Pack will also enable a cosmetic upgrade for the character Ulala ...

Awards also honor Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken! actress Sairi Itō for Midori Asakusa role― The Japanese Broadcast Critics Association announced the winners of the 57th annual Galaxy Awards on Monday. The live-action television series adaptation of Fumi Yoshinaga's What Did You Eat Yesterday? (Kinō Nani Tabeta?) manga won the My Best TV Award. The GeGeGe no Kitaro anime won the Special Award. Actress...

Touhou doujin game ships on PS4, Switch this summer― Developer Cubetype announced a new Touhou Project dojin (indie) game titled Touhou Labyrinth: Gensōkyō to Tenkan no Taiju on Saturday. The game will launch for the PlayStation 4 and Switch in Japan this summer. The game is a dungeon crawling RPG. Cubetype previously released its Touhou Kobuto V: Burst Battle game on the PS4 and PS Vita in Japan in...

Watanabe is former member of AKB48 idol group, voiced role in AKB0048 anime― Talent management agency Production Ogi announced on Monday that Mayu Watanabe is retiring from the entertainment industry for "health reasons." The announcement added that Watanabe's health had been declining for years, with no sign of recovery. After numerous meetings, Production Ogi decided to respect Watanabe's decision...

Museum closed on March 5 due to COVID-19― The official website for the Fujiko F. Fujio Museum announced on Monday that the museum will re-open on Friday, June 5, but will only admit half of its usual number of daily visitors, with temperature checks and mask requirements for entry. The museum had closed to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) on March 5. Fujiko F. Fujio was t...

Saredo Itoshiki Otsuma-sama manga adapts Daisuke Suzuki's autobiographical novel― This year's July issue of Kodansha's Be-Love magazine revealed on Monday that Miwa Ueda will launch a new manga titled Saredo Itoshiki Otsuma-sama (Even So My Dear Wife) in the magazine's August issue on July 1. The manga is based on Daisuke Suzuki's novel of the same name. Suzuki's novel launched in 2018. The novel te...

Cram schools, theaters, gyms, retail shops reopen in capital― The Tokyo government moved to the second phase of its multi-phase recovery road map for the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) on Monday. While the Tokyo government is planning to move to each new step every two weeks, it may move to the third phase early if new infection cases remain low. The second phase of the plan calls for the reopen...

Akiyama debuted in 1966; drew Haguregumo, Ashura, Gyara manga― Manga creator George Akiyama (real name Yūji Akiyama) passed away on May 12. He was 77. His relatives held a private funeral. According to Shogakukan, Akiyama was planning his next work. Akiyama was born in 1943, and made his manga debut with Gaikotsu-kun (Skeleton-kun) in 1966. Akiyama was perhaps best known for his Haguregumo manga, wh...

Delayed from original April premiere date― The official website for the television anime of Tasuku Karasuma's No Guns Life manga revealed on Monday that the show's second half will premiere on TBS this July. The anime was previously scheduled to premiere in April, but was delayed due to the effects of the spread of the new coroanvirus disease (COVID-19). Composer Hiroyuki Sawano's "SawanoHiroyuki[nZ...

Sunday, May 31

Toshiyuki Morikawa, Yuichiro Umehara, Haruki Ishiya join cast as Ehrenfest knights― The official website for the television anime of Miya Kazuki's "biblia fantasy" novel Ascendance of a Bookworm (Honzuki no Gekokujō: Shisho ni Naru Tame niwa Shudan o Erandeiramasen) revealed three new cast members for the anime's second part on Monday. The new cast members include: Toshiyuki Morikawa, the commander ...

“Freedom” is a classic low point for the main characters to build up the final climax, and works pretty well just for how earnest and desperate our scruffy hero is while trying to keep hell from breaking loose.

Kinyō Road Show will broadcast film with Masakazu Morita's narration on supplementary sound channel on May 29― Masakazu Morita, the anime voice actor of Kingdom protagonist Shin, provided audio description for the visually impaired for a television broadcast of the live-action film adaptation on Friday. The film broadcast on the "Kinyō Road Show" (Friday Road Show) program on NTV, and Morita's narra...

― The official website for the anime adaptation of Kumanano and 029's Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear light novels released the second key visual for the show on Friday. Yuu Nobuta (High School Fleet, A Good Librarian Like a Good Shepherd) is directing the anime at EMT Squared. Takashi Aoshima (Himouto! Umaru-chan, Yuruyuri - Happy Go Lily) is in charge of the series scripts, and Yuki Nakano (A Destructive God ...

Museum was closed from February 29 due to COVID-19― The Type-Moon Museum's will reopen on June 5 after temporarily closing from February 29 due to COVID-19. The museum, which celebrates Fate/stay night's 15th anniversary, was originally planned to be held at the Sony Music Roppongi Museum from December 20 to April 5. It will now run until July 12. Several changes have been implemented with the reope...

"Character Pack 1" DLC with Cracker, Smoothie launches this summer― This year's 26th issue of Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump magazine revealed on Monday that Bandai Namco Entertainment's One Piece Pirate Warriors 4 game for the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam will add the character Charlotte Cracker as the game's second DLC character. Charlotte Cracker will be available in ...

Tadahiro Miura's manga launched in Weekly Shonen Jump in 2016― This year's 26th issue of Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump magazine teased on Monday that the magazine's 27th issue will feature an "important announcement" for Tadahiro Miura's Yuuna and the Haunted Hot Springs (Yuragi-sō no Yūna-san) manga on June 8. The issue also teased that the manga will reach its "climax" in the 27th issue. A televis...

Countrywide "remote auditions" to be held for protagonist― This year's 26th issue of Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump magazine revealed on Monday that Tatsuya Matsuki and Shiro Usazaki's act-age manga is inspiring a stage play that will premiere in 2022. The magazine's 25th issue had teased last week that the 26th issue would have an "important project announcement" for the manga. The manga also "enter...

Gamescom digital event takes place from August 27-30― Below are mentions of anime, manga, and game events (physical and digital) and places in Japan and elsewhere that have been canceled, postponed, or have reopened in the last two weeks. Events in Japan Canceled The official website for the Magia Record: Puella Magi Madoka Magica Side Story television anime announced on May 15 that the Kamiha☆Matsu...

BD/DVD to include Japanese/English audio, English subtitles― Shout! Factory and Eleven Arts announced on Friday that they will release the Sound! Euphonium The Movie - Our Promise: A Brand New Day film on Blu-ray Disc and DVD on June 2. The companies released a digital version of the film on May 19. The BD/DVD will include both Japanese and English audio as well as English subtitles. Kyoto Animation...

Saturday, May 30

Delayed since April, along with Pokémon: Twilight Wings, 23rd film― The official Twitter account for the Pokemon anime franchise announced on Sunday that the Pokémon Journeys: The Series will resume airing new episodes on Sunday, June 7 at 6:00 p.m. (5:00 a.m. EDT). The staff had temporarily suspended part of its production of the series due to the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and the state of...

Horror-inspired RPG to have English, Japanese, Traditional Chinese subtitles― Idea Factory International began streaming an English opening movie trailer for Compile Heart's Death end re;Quest 2 game on Friday. The video reveals that the game will be released for Playstation 4 and PC via Steam in summer 2020. The Steam version of the game will have English, Japanese, and Traditional Chinese subtitle...

Detective Pikachu airs with 11.8% rating― The Detective Pikachu film aired on NTV on Friday, May 22 at 9:00 p.m., and it earned an 11.8% rating. Editor's Note: Many of the anime below are currently airing reruns due to the ongoing new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Title Station Date Time Length Average Household Rating Sazae-san Fuji TV May 24 (Sun) 18:30 30 min. 9.8 Detective Conan NTV M...

Demon Slayer, Evangelion TV, Code Geass: Lelouch of the Re;surrection, Planetes, K: Seven Stories licensed for UK BD― British distributor Anime Limited (All the Anime) announced during its Cloud Matsuri panel on Saturday that its upcoming Blu-ray Ultimate Edition of the B: The Beginning anime will be available in the United States, in addition to the United Kingdom. Anime Limited is still working on...

Okko's Inn anime airs with 1.6% rating― The Okko's Inn anime film aired on NHK E-Tele on Saturday, May 16 at 3:25 p.m., and it earned a 1.6% rating. Editor's Note: Many of the anime below are currently airing reruns due to the ongoing new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Title Station Date Time Length Average Household Rating Sazae-san Fuji TV May 17 (Sun) 18:30 30 min. 10.8 Detective Conan ...

Story centers on a young girl, her ex-army-sergeant maid― Kaiten Books announced on Friday that it has licensed Kanko Nakamura's UzaMaid: Our Maid is Way Too Annoying! (Uchi no Maid ga Uzasugiru!) manga for physical and digital release. Futabasha began publishing the manga in its Manga Action magazine in August 2016. The company published the sixth volume in Japan on March 12. The manga inspired a t...

"Project Immortal," "Project Mikhail" smartphone games slated for 2021― The official YouTube channel for the Muv-Luv franchise began streaming high quality videos on Friday for the "Muv-Luv Alternative in Animation" project and the "Project Immortal" (tentative title) and "Project Mikhail" (tentative title) smartphone games. âge had livestreamed the videos during a multi-day streaming event earlier ...

― The official website for the Sōkō Musume Senki television anime adaptation launched on Friday revealing a new visual for the anime. DMM Games announced the anime for its Sōkō Musume (Armored Girls) game franchise during the AnimeJapan 2019 event. The anime's story will be based on the story of Sōkō Musume Mizel Rem Crisis, the rebooted version of the franchise's game that launched on May 21. The g...

Sally Amaki of 22/7 to emcee English event― Aniplex of America announced on Thursday that Aniplex Inc. will host the English "Aniplex Online Fest" event on July 4-5. The event will be free to attend and will be streamed on YouTube. The Chinese version of the virtual festival will be streamed on bilibili. Sally Amaki, a member of the Japanese idol group 22/7 (Nanabun no Nijūni), will host the English...

8 titles release in June― Digital Media Rights revealed on Friday that it has licensed four new anime titles for its RetroCrush streaming service. The titles The Story of Saiunkoku, True Tears, Mazinger Edition Z: The Impact!, and Miss Machiko are new additions to the roster of recent licenses the company acquired. The company also announced the release dates for eight anime titles that will stream ...

Friday, May 29

700-year-old Kanze school, Blood-C creative team, leading VR researchers collaborate― Masamune Shirow's Ghost in the Shell manga is inspiring a "VR Noh" stage play production that will run at Tokyo's Setagaya Public Theatre on August 22 and 23. The production unveiled a visual of the lead character Motoko Kusanagi in Noh attire on Saturday with the tagline, "To a cyber world that has transcended tra...

Season would have premiered in July― The official website for Fujino Ōmori and Suzuhito Yasuda's light novel series Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? announced on Saturday that the third anime season has been delayed from July to "October or later." The website cited the effects of the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19), and the website and the anime's official Twitter account will a...

Early copies of "card battle RPG" in Japan include Dark Dragoon Forte card― The official website for Shadowverse: Champion's Battle, the Nintendo Switch game of Cygames' Shadowverse online collectible card game, revealed the first trailer and November 5 release for the game on Friday. The first copies of the "card battle RPG" will include the Premium Rare Card Dark Dragoon Forte. The original collec...

Game launched in Japan, West in October 2014― The official website for Mistwalker's Terra Battle smartphone game announced on Friday that the game will end service worldwide on June 30. The announcement noted that staff determined they "would not be able to continue providing the necessary quality of service moving forward." Sales of the Energy in-game currency ended on Friday. A message from the ga...

Many in the industry, including the staff of Anime News Network, have spent the past week in mourning the loss of our dear friend and colleague Zac Bertschy. As the executive editor and content craftsman of this website, Zac's prestige reached beyond just Anime News Network to anime fandom and the industry at large. Today, anime streaming service Crunchyroll published an editorial honoring Zac's a...

Editor reports that Daisuke Ashihara is recovering― The editor of Daisuke Ashihara's World Trigger manga announced on the series' official Twitter account on Friday that Shueisha's Jump SQ. magazine will publish part of the upcoming 197th chapter's content as a rough-draft version due to the creator's health. The magazine's editorial department had considered a hiatus for the manga due to Ashihara's...

Season 5 to resume with episode 1 after rerun of season 4 episodes― The official website for Food Wars! Shokugeki no Soma: The Fifth Plate, the fifth season of the Food Wars! Shokugeki no Soma anime, announced on Saturday that the anime will resume on July 3. The website reported earlier in May that future new episodes would be delayed further "until July or later" due to the effects of the new coro...

Voice actor reveals ongoing throat discomfort, scarring― Voice actor Nobuhiko Okamoto announced on his official blog on Friday that he will go on hiatus for about one month beginning on June 1 due to throat treatment and the accompanying surgery. Okamoto explained that he has been having throat discomfort, and a recent medial examination uncovered scarring on his vocal cords. Okamoto's talent agency...

Circulation reportedly fell to 1,572,833 from 1,602,083 in previous quarter― The Japan Magazine Publishers Association (JMPA) revealed on Thursday that print circulation of Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump magazine fell to 1,572,833 during the period of January to March 2020. The JMPA had reported the magazine's print circulation at 1,602,083 for October through December. The magazine's circulation for...

PQube, Rice Digital's release previously planned for spring― PQube announced on Twitter on Saturday that it and Rice Digital's release of 5pb.'s Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? Infinite Combate game for the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and PC via Steam in the West is delayed to "later this summer" due to "some development delays incurred by the virus lockdown." The announcement ...

1-minute shorts continue office worker's story with returning cast― Sorosoro Tanigawa's Taeko no Nichijō (Taeko's Everyday Life) manga is inspiring a new television anime series that will premiere on Tokyo MX on July 1. New one-minute episodes will premiere Monday through Friday at 5:59 p.m. A company employee named Tanaka, who lives in the outskirts of Tokyo, is reprising her role as the title char...

Manga ended on Thursday― The July issue of Shogakukan's Flowers magazine revealed on Thursday that Taeko Watanabe's Kaze Hikaru manga will have a spinoff story chapter that will appear in the magazine's January 2021 issue on November 28. The manga also ended in the July issue on Thursday. The final chapter was 100 pages long, and had a color opening page. The manga entered its climax last October, a...

Tama Yūgyōji's spinoff manga for smartphone game launched in January― The July issue of Ichijinsha's Monthly Comic Zero-Sum magazine revealed on Thursday that Tama Yūgyōji's Magatsu Wahrheit: Hitotsukiri no Madōsho (The One Grimoire) manga will end in the magazine's next issue in June. The manga is a spinoff of KLab Games' Magatsu Wahrheit smartphone role-playing game, and focuses on the character E...

Announced by cast on film's original opening date, Friday― Ryō Ryūsei and Atsuhiro Inukai, the stars of the live-action film of Kenji Inoue and Kimitake Yoshioka's Grand Blue Dreaming comedy manga, announced on Friday that the film will now open in Japan on August 7. The actors made the announcement during a live-streaming special on Instagram on Friday, May 29 – the original opening date of the fil...

1st TV anime to use late Queen singer's song as theme― The official website for WIT Studio's original television anime series Great Pretender began streaming a special promotional video for its theme song on Friday. The video announces that the late Queen singer Freddie Mercury's cover of The Platters song "The Great Pretender" will be the anime's theme song. This is Japan's first television anime t...

Asano draws manga of original anime series― Shueisha's Tonari no Young Jump web magazine published a "chapter 0" for a new serialized manga adaptation of Trigger's original television anime BNA: Brand New Animal anime on Friday. Asano is drawing the manga. The first six episodes of the anime debuted exclusively on Netflix on March 21 in Japan, and episodes 7-12 debuted on Netflix in Japan on May 6. ...

Ayahi Takagaki, Makoto Furukawa, Fumiko Orikasa, Hiroshi Yanaka, Sachi Kokuryu join cast― The official website for the television anime of Bun'ō Fujisawa's MARS RED dramatic stage reading productions revealed five more cast members on Friday. The new cast includes: (from left to right in above image: Ayahi Takagaki as Misaki, the actress playing the protagonist in "Salome" Makoto Furukawa as Rufus G...

Dorohedoro's Yuichiro Hayashi directs series― The official website for the Attack on Titan The Final Season anime began streaming the show's promotional video on Friday. The video reveals the show's staff, including the new animation studio MAPPA (Dorohedoro, In This Corner of the World, Yuri!! on Ice). Yuichiro Hayashi (Dorohedoro, Garo the Animation, Kakegurui both seasons) is directing the anime ...

Full schedule announced, including appearances by Studio Orange founder Eiji Inomoto; Beastars director Shinichi Matsumi; Eunyoung Choi, CEO of Science SARU; staff of Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken!; Shuzo John Shiota, President of Polygon Pictures― The Cloud Matsuri online festival will run on Saturday May 30 and Sunday May 31, streamed on the event's website at https://www.cloudmatsuri.com/. The sch...

Itsuwari no Ōsen Kōho centers on Royal Selection storyline, debuts this winter― Spike Chunsoft announced on Friday that it is developing a new game based on the Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World- franchise titled Re:Zero Kara Hajimeru Isekai Seikatsu - Itsuwari no Ōsen Kōho (Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World- The False Royal Election Candidate). The game will debut for the PlayStation 4,...

Zipman!!'s Yūsaku Shibata draws series about Avan― The live-streamed Dragon Quest Day special "Latest Dragon Quest: Dai no Daibōken Info: Dai Send-Off Special" revealed on Wednesday that Riku Sanjō and Kôji Inada's Dragon Quest: The Adventure of Dai (Dragon Quest: Dai no Daibōken) is getting a new manga series in Shueisha's V Jump magazine. Sanjō is credited with the original work, and Yūsaku Shibat...

Thursday, May 28

Furukawa plays Ogun Montgomery in new season premiering July― The official website for the anime of Atsushi Ohkubo's Fire Force (En En no Shōbōtai) manga revealed on Friday that Makoto Furukawa will join the cast of the anime's second season as the character Ogun Montgomery (seen below), a Company 4 member who is always considerate of his colleagues. He was friends with Shinra and Arthur during thei...

Eri Kitamura, Shinichiro Miki, Rei Sakuma, Oolongta Yoshida, Fukushi Ochiai join cast of June 18 Netflix film― Twin Engine began streaming a new promotional video for Studio Colorido's second feature-length anime film A Whisker Away (Nakitai Watashi wa Neko o Kaburu) on Friday. The video reveals new cast members for the film, and shows the world from the perspective of protagonist Muge as she is int...

Anime of Azone/acus action dolls originally slated for July― The official website for the Assault Lily mixed-media franchise announced on Thursday that Assault Lily Bouquet, the franchise's television anime, has delayed its premiere date to October to prioritize the safety of its cast and staff during the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. The anime was originally slated to premiere in Jul...

Jeff Fowler returns as director; Pat Casey, Josh Miller return as scriptwriters― Paramount Pictures announced on Thursday that it is producing a sequel to its Sonic the Hedgehog film, with Jeff Fowler returning as director, and Pat Casey and Josh Miller as returning scriptwriters. Neal H. Moritz, Toby Ascher, and Toru Nakahara are credited as producers on the new film, while Hajime Satomi, Haruki Sa...

Actors Kento Yamazaki, Ryō Yoshizawa, Kanna Hashimoto & director Shinsuke Satō reunite― The official website for the live-action film of Yasuhisa Hara's Kingdom manga announced on Friday that the film will have a sequel. Shinsuke Satō (live-action Gantz, Death Note Light up the NEW world, Bleach) will return as director. Kento Yamazaki, Ryō Yoshizawa, and Kanna Hashimoto are all returning from the p...

Online-only event will be streamed via YouTube Premium on May 30― Music from the Uta no Prince-sama and Symphogear franchises will feature in King Records's 3rd live music event "King Super Live Online 2020." The event will be held entirely online on King Amusement Creative's YouTube channel via YouTube Premium on May 30. On top of the main voice cast from Uta no Prince-sama and Symphogear, the list...

Digital artwork vendor Anique is selling artwork from the Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045 anime through blockchain. Interested users can sign up for Anique's "Joint Partners Privileges" for 1,500 yen (approximately US$13) to receive digital certificates with their names written on it. Joint partners will also receive a unique 66-digit blockchain transaction ID, which will be generated with a special ...

Princess Tutu draws from the classic tradition of mixing horror with wonder, creating a new literary fairy tale crafted from strands of older ones, and even eighteen years after it first aired, it still holds onto its magic.

Fortunately, the clouds have been added to the DVD/BD― Weathering With You was released on Bluray and DVD in Japan on Wednesday, and to celebrate the occasion, director Makoto Shinkai shared some tidbits about the film on Twitter. In particular, Shinkai pointed out one major difference between the film's theatrical release and its home video version: a cut from the original version of the climax sce...

Compile Heart previews release with opening movie, promotional video― Compile Heart announced on Thursday that it and Felistella's Azur Lane: Crosswave game will get a release for the Nintendo Switch in Japan on September 17. The company began streaming the opening movie and a promotional video for the release. The game shipped in Japan for the PlayStation 4 last August. Idea Factory International r...

Game launches for PS4, Switch, iOS, Android on same day in Japan― The official PlayStation Blog announced on Thursday that the remastered version of the Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles game will launch in the West for the PlayStation 4 on August 27. The game will also debut for the Nintendo Switch and iOS and Android devices simultaneously. The website began streaming a release date announcement tr...

Due to "circumstances"; episodes 4-7 were previously delayed in May― The official website for Bungo and Alchemist -Gears of Judgement- (Bungō to Alchemist: Shinpan no Haguruma), the television anime of DMM Games' Bungō to Alchemist game, announced on Friday that the anime has delayed the eighth episode to Friday, July 3. The website cited "circumstances" as the reason. Niconico, TV Tokyo's AniTele (...

Story centers on high schooler who finds his father is creator behind popular VTuber― Kaiten Books announced on Wednesday that it has licensed Wataru Akashingo's My Dad's the Queen of All VTubers?! (Oyaji ga Bishōjo ni Natteta Hanashi) manga for physical and digital release. Kaiten Books describes the manga's story: VTubers, these online entertainers have seen a sudden surge in popularity, capturing...

Original game launched for PS4, PS Vita in Japan last June― Entergram announced on Thursday that its Kono Subarashii Sekai ni Shukufuku o! ~Kibō no Meikyū Tsudoi Shi Bōkensha-tachi~ dungeon role-playing game inspired by Natsume Akatsuki's KONOSUBA (Kono Subarashii Sekai ni Shukufuku o! or Konosuba - God's Blessing on This Wonderful World!) light novel series is getting an updated version for the Pla...

Site also streams Dear Brother, Jungle Emperor Leo, Legend of Moby Dick, Ambassador Magma, more― Digital Media Rights announced on Thursday that it has partnered with Tezuka Productions to release nine anime titles on its service starting on June 5. Black Jack and A Time Slip Of 10000 Years: Prime Rose will launch on June 5, and the remaining titles will premiere from June to August. RetroCrush has ...

DLC character Iroha launched on May 13― SNK's official YouTube channel announced on Tuesday that the Samurai Shodown (Samurai Spirits) game will launch for PC on the Epic Games Store on June 11. The game's director Nobuyuki Kuroki also provided a video message about the game's PC launch and pre-order campaign. Epic Games announced on March 23 that the game would launch for PC this spring. The PC ver...

Film would have opened in June; "preview screenings" of film's special edition to stream on June 13-14― The official website and Twitter account for Monster Strike The Movie: Lucifer Zetsubō no Yoake (Lucifer Dawn of Despair) announced on Thursday that the film has been rescheduled for November. The film had been delayed from its June opening to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus disease (COV...

Organizers aim to reschedule for August 27-29, 2021 in Saitama― The official website for the "Animelo Summer Live 2020 -Colors-" concerts announced on Thursday that the concerts have been delayed. The concerts' executive committee, Dwango, and Nippon Cultural Broadcasting explained that they are prioritizing the health and safety of the attendees, performers, and people involved in the concerts, in ...

RPG to feature 4-player cross-platform play― The official Twitter account for the remastered version of the Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles game announced on Thursday that the game's new release date in Japan is on August 27. ✨2020.8.27発売決定✨『ファイナルファンタジー・クリスタルクロニクル』Nintendo Switch、PS4、スマホで登場!🎮4人でクロスプレイも楽しめる📱新要素も続々✨1⃣@FFCC_PR をフォロー2⃣この投稿をRT激レア「クリスタルケージ」当たる!特設サイト👉https://t.co/sbuBAhIYXX#FFCC #クリクロ pic...

Yu Mori's manga spinoff focusing on Miyuki launched in 2012― The July issue of Kadokawa's Monthly Comic Dengeki Daioh magazine revealed on Wednesday that Yu Mori's The Honor Student at Magic High School (Mahōka Kōkō no Yūtōsei) spinoff manga will end in the magazine's next issue on June 27. Yen Press publishes the manga in English, and it describes the manga: A century has passed since magic - real,...

Manga's compiled volume ships on July 27― The July issue of Kadokawa's Gundam Ace magazine published the final chapter of Harutoshi Fukui and Hiroyuki Tamakoshi's Kidō Senshi Gundam UC: Shishi no Kikan (Return of the Lion) manga on Tuesday. The manga's one compiled book volume will ship on July 27. The manga centers on the "return" of the character Riddhe Marcenas (pictured at right) from the Mobile...

Hayao Nakayama, son Haruki Nakayama, family companies still own more than 33% of shares― Game developer and publisher Marvelous, Inc. and Chinese company Tencent Holdings Limited both revealed on Tuesday that Tencent, through its Hong Kong-based Image Frame Investment subsidiary, has acquired 8.6 million of new shares in Marvelous for 4.9 billion yen (about US$45.47 million), along with 708,600 of p...

Guidelines for social distancing while filming place restrictions on action, wire scenes― The Sankei Sports newspaper reported on Wednesday that Toei will aim to restart filming for its Kamen Rider Zero-One tokusatsu (live-action special-effects) series on June 1, with new guidelines in place to minimize contact between people. According to the report, the film crew will maintain strict social dista...

Game launched for PSP in 2012― The official website for Broccoli's Uta no Prince-sama Debut game revealed on Thursday that the game will launch on the Nintendo Switch on February 25, 2021. Uta no Prince-sama Debut launched for the PlayStation Portable in 2012. Broccoli recently shipped Uta no Prince-sama♪ Repeat LOVE, its PlayStation Vita port of the 2010 Uta no Prince-sama♪ Repeat PSP game, on the...

Game launched last October after many delays― The official website for Konami's LovePlus franchise announced on Tuesday that the LovePlus EVERY smartphone game will end service on August 5. The game launched on October 31 last year. The game was first scheduled to launch in winter 2018, but was delayed until August 2019, and then delayed again to an indefinite date. The game was then slated for a No...

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba is 1st novelization to take top 2 spots, followed by Overlord, SAO― For the first time since Oricon began reporting its book ranking charts in April of 2008, the novelization of one franchise took both of the top two spots in the general book ranking. This list covers sales surveyed from November 18, 2019 to May 17, 2020. Rank Title Author Estimated Sales 1 Demon Slaye...

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba sells 1.2 million, followed by Sword Art Online, That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime― For the first time since Oricon began reporting its book ranking charts in April of 2008, one franchise topped both the general book ranking and the manga ranking for the first half of a year. This list covers sales surveyed from November 18, 2019 to May 17, 2020. Rank Title Autho...

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba takes top 19 spots, followed by One Piece, Attack on Titan― Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba took the top 19 slots on the ranking chart, and each of its first 19 volumes sold over two million copies in these past six months. (The regular edition of the 20th volume sold 1,086,157 physical print copies, while the limited edition sold 904,092 physical print copies, for a to...

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba sells 45 million, followed by One Piece, Quintessential Quintuplets― For the first time since Oricon began reporting its book ranking charts in April of 2008, one franchise topped both the general book ranking and the manga ranking for the first half of a year. In addition, the Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba manga series overall has sold a total of 60.027 million physi...

Wednesday, May 27

Season 2 now slated for January & July 2021, The Slime Diaries for April 2021― The official website for the anime of Fuse and Mitz Vah's That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime novel series announced on Thursday that the upcoming second season of the anime has been delayed. The production committee explained that the production had alloted enough time, but the state of emergency in Japan due to the ...

Maeda, Tatsum play Cream Anmitsu manager, Ino's classmate in July anime― The official website for the television anime of Sou Hamayumiba's Dropout Idol Fruit Tart (Ochikobore Fruit Tart) manga revealed two more cast members for the anime on Thursday. Rena Maeda and Yuiko Tatsumi are joining the cast as the Cream Anmitsu idol unit's manager Riri Higashi and Ino Sakura's classmate Tone Honmachi, respe...

In 2017, voice actor Kouichi Yamadera trended on Twitter when he made a popular meme: "On a date with my boyfriend." At the time, he posted a picture of himself on Twitter and wrote, "You can use this when you say 'On a date with my boyfriend.'" The tweet inspired various actors to post pictures of themselves with the same caption. Earlier this month, Yamadera made a video version of the meme, whi...

Anime studio has "nothing to say" to 42-year-old man detained in Osaka― Police arrested the suspect in Kyoto Animation's Studio 1 building fire incident under suspicion of arson and murder at a hospital in Kyoto just after 7:00 a.m. on Wednesday. Authorities then transferred him to Fushimi Police Station for questioning after 8:00 a.m. The 42-year-old unemployed man from Minuma, Saitama reportedly a...

― The August issue of Kadokawa's Monthly Comic Alive magazine announced on Wednesday that Gakuen 86 (Academy 86), the manga spinoff of Asato Asato's 86 light novel series, will launch in the magazine's next issue on June 27. Asato launched the novel series under Kadokawa's Dengeki Bunko imprint in April 2017. Shirabi (The Ryuo's Work is Never Done!, Myriad Colors Phantom World) is drawing the illust...

A Twitter user claiming to post videos of their nine-year-old nephew posted a video on Tuesday showing a boy playing the Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba opening theme "Gurenge." His skill with the drum took the poster by surprise. "He apparently put a lot of effort into this, but as his uncle... all I can say is wow," the Twitter user, who goes by the name "Nephew (Age 9)", wrote. 50回は撮り直したという噂ですが。...

The major complaint that has always been voiced about this episode is that it spends so much time establishing its particulars that it is basically one big, ponderous info dump, and that critique is at least partly fair.

Kana Yoshimura's spinoff manga about Reiko Kuchiba launched in January 2018― Amazon is listing the fifth compiled book volume of Kana Yoshimura's Murciélago Byproduct Araña spinoff manga as the final volume. The volume is slated to ship on July 22. The manga is a spinoff of Yoshimura's Murciélago manga, and focuses on the character Reiko Kuchiba. Yoshimura launched the manga in Square Enix's Manga U...

The My Next Life as a Villainess: All Routes Lead to Doom! anime has been dominating the Anime Trending community's weekly favorite couple polls this season. Earlier this month, the site's Twitter account revealed that seven out of the 10 top spots in week #4 were taken by couples from My Next Life as a Villainess, including the top spot which went to the Maria x Catarina pair. Madlads, Here are y...

Physical convention previously planned to host world premiere of Amano's Gibiate― The organizers of the Anime Expo convention revealed on Wednesday that this year's Anime Expo Lite event will be a two-day livestream and host artist and character designer Yoshitaka Amano. The free event will also feature content from companies such as Bushiroad, Crunchyroll, Pony Canyon, and Viz Media. Additionally, ...

2nd manga based on Konosuba spinoffs centering on Megumin launched in 2018― The August issue of Kadokawa's Monthly Comic Alive magazine revealed on Wednesday that Kasumi Morino's Zoku Kono Subarashii Sekai ni Bakuen o! manga will end in the magazine's next issue on June 27. The manga is a sequel to Morino's earlier Konosuba: An Explosion on This Wonderful World! Both manga adapt Natsume Akatsuki's s...

Anime premieres on TV in Japan, streaming on Crunchyroll in July― Crunchyroll began streaming a character trailer for the television anime of Yongje Park's The God of High School manhwa on Wednesday. The video highlights the three main characters Jin, Han, and Yoo. The anime will premiere in Japan in July, and it will debut exclusively on Crunchyroll the same month. The previously announced cast mem...

27th/28th issue to ship on June 3, 31st/32nd issue to ship on July 1― The 26th issue of Shogakukan's Weekly Shonen Sunday magazine announced on Wednesday that the magazine's next issue will be a combined issue. The next issue will be numbered as the combined 27th and 28th issues when it ships on June 3. In addition, the 31st and 32nd issues will be combined into one issue shipping on July 1. The mag...

iOS/Android game launches with original story in 2020― A teaser website opened on Wednesday to announce that The Quintessential Quintuplets (Gotōbun no Hanayome) anime will get its first smartphone game for iOS and Android this year. The website began streaming a teaser video for the game titled Gotōbun no Hanayome Itsutsugo-chan wa Puzzle o Gotōbun Dekinai. enish is developing the "500% cuteness qu...

Show originally slated for July― The official website for the anime of Shinya Komi and HiRock's EX-ARM manga announced on Thursday that the anime has been delayed to "fall 2020 or later." (The English translation on the website merely stated that it is "scheduled to start broadcasting in autumn 2020.") The production committee cited the effects of the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and vowed to ...

New season premieres in July― The official website for the anime of Atsushi Ohkubo's Fire Force (En En no Shōbōtai) manga revealed on Wednesday that rock band Cider Girl (7SEEDS, Fox Spirit Matchmaker) are performing the ending theme song for the anime's second season. The new season will premiere in July. Aimer is performing the new opening song "SPARK-AGAIN" for the season. Tatsuma Minamikawa (Fir...

Films originally slated for July 3, August 7― The official website for the 'final chapter' films in the live-action film series based on Nobuhiro Watsuki's Rurouni Kenshin manga announced on Wednesday that the films have been delayed until the Golden Week holiday period next spring due to the situation in Japan caused by the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Rurouni Kenshin Saishūshō The Final and...

Shikabane Gatana manga about boy trying to find sister in Tokyo infested by zombie-like monsters― The July issue of Kadokawa's Shonen Ace magazine revealed on Tuesday that Hajime Segawa will launch a new manga titled Shikabane-Gatana (Corpse Sword) in the magazine's next issue on June 26. The "battle action" manga centers on Jūki Kiki (name romanization not official), a middle school boy who lives a...

Anime based on Kagiji Kumanomata's manga premieres this year― The official website for the television anime of Kagiji Kumanomata's Sleepy Princess in the Demon Castle (Maōjō de Oyasumi) manga revealed two new cast members for the anime on Wednesday. Kumanomata also drew a new illustration for the anime (seen below). The new cast includes: Hiro Shimono as The Hero Akatsuki who rises to the occasion t...

Hirotsugu Ryusen's novels about boy who awakens to fantasy MMO world as cute sage girl― Micro Magazine announced on Wednesday that Hirotsugu Ryusen's Kenja no Deshi o Nanoru Kenja (She professed herself pupil of the wise man.) light novel series is inspiring a television anime. The novels center on Kagami Sakimori, a player of an MMO game where he plays as one of the game world's nine great sages, t...

Tuesday, May 26

Game will follow anime's story but will have all-new events― Kadokawa announced on Wednesday that the anime based on Carlo Zen and Shinobu Shinotsuki's Saga of Tanya the Evil (Yōjo Senki) novel series is inspiring its first smartphone game. The Yōjo Senki - Madōshi Kaku Tatakaeri (Saga of Tanya the Evil - Thus the Mages Did Clash) game is based on the anime's story, but it will have all-new story ev...

Films open in double feature on July 31 with MX4D screenings― Toei began streaming a combined teaser trailer for both the Jintai no Survival! and Ganbareiwa!! Robocon films on Wednesday. Both films will open alongside each other in a double feature on July 31, with MX4D screenings also available. The Jintai no Survival! film is based on of the Kagaku Manga Survival (Science Manga Survival) study man...

Ordinance mark first local government ordinance in Japan aimed at combating video game addiction― The Kagawa Bar Association released an official statement on Monday requesting an immediate repeal of a recent ordinance that came into effect in the Kagawa Prefecture restricting video game playing time among children. The ordinance, which attempts to combat video game addiction, took effect on April 1...

Theme park of scale miniature figures opens on June 11― The Small Worlds Tokyo theme park unveiled preview images of its Sailor Moon area on Monday. The images were published on the official Sailor Moon website and Twitter account. 【更新】2020年6月11日(木)、世界最大級の屋内型ミニチュア・テーマパーク「SMALL WORLDS TOKYO」が東京・有明にグランドオープンすることが決定しました!そのSMALL WORLDS TOKYO内に『美少女戦士セーラームーン』エリアが登場します。https://t.co/zre7Osy1fM pic.twitter.co...

Johnny's confirms performer attended party during state of emergency in April― The Johnny & Associates agency (Johnny's) announced on Tuesday that Yuya Tegoshi from the four-member NEWS idol group will go on hiatus from the entertainment industry. The announcement confirmed an unspecified weekly publication's prior allegations that Tegoshi had attended a drinking party with numerous women in Tokyo i...

Spinoff of Tsurikichi Sampei fishing series launched in 2018― This year's 12th issue of Kodansha's Evening magazine revealed on Tuesday that Takao Yaguchi and Katsumi Tatsuzawa's Versus Gyoshin-san! will end in two chapters. The manga will take a one-issue break and continue in the magazine's 14th issue. If there are no other delays, the manga will end on July 7. The manga is a spinoff of Yaguchi's ...

With much of the Spring 2020 anime season awash due to the effects of COVID-19, we're setting our sights on some old favorites. Last week Anime News Network launched its Classic Daily Streaming poll to see which series you'd most like to see covered. Without further ado, your schedule: James Beckett Wolf's Rain Pokémon Journeys: The Series Rebecca Silverman Princess Tutu Vision of Escaflowne Thero...

Over 200 cosplayers including Anri Okita participate in relay cosplay challenge― One Piece cosplayers around the world have been participating in the #passthevivrecard relay challenge on social media platforms, where they cosplay a character from the series while staying at home. Over 200 cosplayers participated, including Anri Okita, who has over 1 million followers on Instagram and 391,000 followe...

Film debuts digitally on August 4; limited edition ships in November― GKIDS and Shout! Factory announced on Tuesday that they will release Makoto Shinkai's Weathering With You anime film on Blu-ray Disc and DVD in North America on September 15. A limited-edition Collector's Set will ship in November. They will also release the film digitally on August 4. GKIDS describes the anime's story: The summer...

PS4/Switch/PC game debuts in Japan on August 27, in West on August 28― Bandai Namco Entertainment America began streaming a trailer on Tuesday that reveals it will release the Captain Tsubasa: Rise of New Champions game for the PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam on August 28. The game will debut for the PS4 and Switch in Japan on August 27. It will also launch in Europe and Southeast A...

Super-deformed anime centers on Hero Club's udon― A livestream for the third anniversary of the Yūki Yūna wa Yūsha de Aru Hanayui no Kirameki (Yuki Yuna Is a Hero: A Sparkling Bouquet) smartphone game announced on Tuesday that the game is getting a short anime titled Yūki Yūna wa Yūsha de Aru Churutto! The anime will feature an original story. The anime's story is set in the era of the gods, year 30...

Kanakana begins with encounter between lonely girl, former delinquent― The July issue of Shogakukan's Shonen Sunday Super magazine revealed on Monday that manga creator Hiroyuki Nishimori will launch a new manga titled Kanakana in the magazine's next issue in June. The magazine teased that the manga's story will begin with an encounter between a lonely girl and an intimidating man with a scarred fac...

Studio Blanc. anime about kids' show host premieres in 2020― A promotional video for the fifth compiled book volume of Gaku Kuze's Uramichi Oniisan manga revealed three additional cast members for the anime adaptation on Tuesday. Ryohei Kimura is playing Hanbee Kikaku, a member of MHK's sales planning department; Kenichi Suzumura is playing Saito Uebu, a member of the digital planning department; an...

Akira Himekawa launched game-based manga in 2016― The manga duo Akira Himekawa announced on Monday that The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess manga is entering its final arc in the next chapter on Shogakukan's Manga ONE app on June 29. Himekawa launched the Twilight Princess manga in MangaONE in February 2016. The duo previously serialized a new chapter every other week, but have recently been rele...

Manga launched last September― The July issue of Kodansha's Kiss magazine revealed on Monday that manga creator Paru Itagaki's Paruno Graffiti autobiographical manga will end in the magazine's next issue on June 25. The magazine describes the manga as a comedic but moving autobiography. The "short home drama" centers on Inagaki and her two older sisters, mother, and father. Itagaki launched the mang...

Nanatsu no Taizai: Fundo no Shinpan originally slated for October― The production committee for Nanatsu no Taizai: Fundo no Shinpan (The Seven Deadly Sins: Anger's Judgment), the Seven Deadly Sins franchise's new television anime series, announced on Tuesday that it is delaying the series from its previously slated October premiere date due to the spread of the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Th...

The only new film, Shinrei Kissa Extra no Himitsu: The Real Exorcist, ranks #1 for 2nd straight weekend― With the release of many new films postponed, the top 10 rankings at the Japanese box office for the past two weekends include nine previously released films. Japanese theater chains began to shut down in March due to the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Box office performance fell 90% by the ...

Kensho Ono, Taichi Ichikawa star in anime for project led by UKASUKA-G music duo― The Music Interact Football for All (MIFA) organization, which brings together soccer and music activities, announced on Tuesday that its mascot character Mifanda will have a television anime titled Utau Soccer Panda Mifanda (Mifanda the Singing Soccer Panda) that will premiere in July. The anime will star Kensho Ono a...

― The official website for the anime adaptation of Kennoji and Matsuuni's Cheat Kusushi no Slow Life - Isekai ni Tsukurō Drugstore (The Slow Life of a Cheat Pharmacist: A Drugstore Built on an Alternate World) light novel series opened on Monday and revealed a visual for the show. A pamphlet at Comic Market 97 revealed the anime in December. The "heartwarming fantasy" follows an ordinary, former wor...

Last year, the Magia Record: Puella Magi Madoka Magica Side Story smartphone game got a collaboration crossover event with the Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha Detonation film. Now it's Symphogear's turn to have a magical girl crossover with Nanoha. The official Twitter account for Pokelabo's Symphogear XD Unlimited smartphone game announced on Sunday that a collaboration event with Magical Girl Lyrica...

Shizusa Io, Ryusen Kumata's manga launches in English on June 15― Manga Planet announced on Monday that it has licensed author Shizusa Io and artist Ryusen Kumata's badminton manga Missile Bird from Home-sha, Inc. Manga Planet will release the manga in English on June 15. The first chapter of Missile Bird will be available to read on the Manga Planet service for free. Subsequent chapters will be ava...

Actress got married in 2018― Former Momoiro Clover (now Momoiro Clover Z) idol and current actress Akari Hayami announced on a livestream with the Momoiro Clover Z members on Sunday that she is currently pregnant with her first child. The livestream was hosted on the official YouTube channel of cosmetic brand Sophistance. Momoiro Clover Z serve as ambassadors for the brand. The announcement was made...

Over 100 J-Novel Club titles available for preview― J-Novel Club announced on Monday that its catalog of manga and light novels are available for preview on the Anime-Planet database site. Anime-Planet's newly launched Online Reading Portal will house previews of over 80 light novel series and 20 manga series from J-Novel Club. J-Novel Club's announcement also stated that Anime-Planet's Online Readi...

Maaya Uchida sings vocals for 60-second ad about woman who meets HABA Laboratories mascot― Cosmetics brand HABA Laboratories sponsored a 60-second anime music video about a woman who has a fated encounter with the company's mascot character "Hitoshizu-kun." The video features a peppy song by Suppin-Pin Band with vocals by anime voice actress Maaya Uchida (Rikka from Love, Chunibyo & Other Delusions!...

Commentary on Kakushi's work life becomes a lens through which Kumeta explores much bigger ideas. Between the jokes about art block and first impressions, Kakushigoto turns an introspective eye towards the disconnect between our idealized lives and the decidedly unideal ones we inevitably end up living.

Original manga author Shinya Komi draws visual for July series― The staff of the anime of Shinya Komi and HiRock's EX-ARM manga revealed the main visual for the anime on Monday. Komi drew the visual. The anime will premiere in July. The 12th compiled book volume of the manga revealed the television anime adaptation in December 2018. Komi launched the manga with HiRock's story in Shueisha's Grand Jum...

Up to 1,000 people starting June 19, up to 5,000 starting July 10, with conditions― The Japanese government outlined guidelines on Monday for tentatively resuming concerts, events, and other activities as Japan's state of emergency for the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) lifts on Tuesday. Attendees at concerts, exhibitions, and other events should be limited to 100 people (or 200 people if outdoo...

Story centers on boy who becomes "dorm mother" to women's university students― The fifth compiled book volume of Ikumi Hino's Megami-ryō no Ryōbo-kun (Dorm Mother of the Goddess' Dorm) manga confirmed on Tuesday that an anime project for the series is in progress. Retailer listings had teased the announcement in April. The story centers on 12-year-old boy Kōshi Nagumo, who finds himself homeless, pe...

Episode 5 debuts on May 31― The official website for the Duel Masters King anime revealed that new episodes of the series will resume with episode 5 on May 31. New episodes had been delayed as of April 26 due to the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Channels began rebroadcasting the anime on May 3. The anime premiered on TV Tokyo on April 5, and the show airs on Sundays at 8:30 a.m. Hiros...

Volume 23 of the manga releases on June 12― Yoshitaka Ushiki announced on Twitter on Saturday that the Dream Eater Merry (Yumekui Merry) manga series "has a small amount remaining." The artist posted the Tweet in response to Manga Time Kirara's Twitter announcement of the release of volume 23 of the manga on June 12. メリー23巻書影が公開されました。夢路とメリーの旅も残りわずか。最後までお付き合いいただけると幸いです。 https://t.co/KCZ5xbZkNc— 牛木義隆@...

Manga by Mysterious Girlfriend X author launched in May 2017― The July issue of Kodansha's Afternoon magazine revealed on Monday that Riichi Ueshiba's Ōkumo-chan Flashback manga will end on June 25. The August issue of Kodansha's Afternoon magazine will feature the last chapter of the supernatural seinen series. Ōkumo-chan Flashback is a manga series about first-year high school student Minoru Suzuk...

1-shot manga available free on Viz Media, Manga Plus― Viz Media digitally published a one-shot manga on Monday called Yuhen's All-Ghoul Homeroom (Yūgen to Jorei Gakkyū). Yūto Tsukuda and Shun Saeki, the creators of the manga series Food Wars! Shokugeki no Soma, wrote and illustrated the manga. The manga is also available on the Manga Plus service. The manga is available to read for free on both Viz ...

Iso Suzuki draws isekai manga about girl reincarnating as otome game villainess destined to die― The July issue of Futabasha's Monthly Action magazine revealed on Monday that author Terasu Senoo and illustrator Munashichi's Deathbound Duke's Daughter (Shini Yasui Kōshaku Reijō) novels are inspiring a manga adaptation by Izo Suzuki that will launch in the magazine's next issue on June 25. J-Novel Clu...

Manga by My Brother's Husband author launched in 2018― The July issue of Futabasha's Monthly Action magazine published the final chapter of Gengoroh Tagame's Bokura no Shikisai (Our Color) manga on Monday. The manga's third and final volume will ship on September 10. The magazine also asks readers to wait for Tagame's "next work." The magazine describes the manga: "I love men. There's nothing strang...

Declaration lifted in remaining 5 prefectures 6 days early, but some rules continue― Japanese Prime Minister Shinzō Abe announced on Monday that the Japanese government has decided to lift the state of emergency for the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) from the five remaining prefectures, thus removing the state of emergency from the entire nation as of midnight on Tuesday. The declaration came s...

Tetsuya Nishio, Takayuki Goto also appointed as company directors― IG Port, the parent company of several anime studios including Production I.G and Wit Studio, announced last Friday that it has made George Wada the executive vice president of Production I.G, effective June 1. Wada was previously a board member of Production I.G, and the president of sister studio Wit Studio. IG Port also appointed ...

Novella centers on girl who gets involved in conspiracy in complex capital city― Twin Engine's official Motion Gallery crowdfunding page for the feature-length film of Shigeyoshi Tsukahara and Twiflo's original anime project Kurayukaba revealed the visual and story details last Friday for the project's novella by Ryohgo Narita (Durarara, Baccano!). The novel will be available for those who back the ...

Game is titled Re: Zero Kara Hajimeru Isekai Seikatsu - Lost in Memories― The official website for the smartphone game based on the Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World- franchise began streaming a teaser trailer on Friday, which reveals the game's title as Re: Zero Kara Hajimeru Isekai Seikatsu - Lost in Memories, as well as the game's summer launch date. The game will be free with the option to...

"Zetsubō Funsai Shōjo ∞ Amida" short stars Megumi Han, with theme song by Kane yori Masaru― Madhouse and XFLAG unveiled a short anime film based on XFLAG's Monster Strike smartphone game on Monday. The short is titled "Zetsubō Funsai Shōjo ∞ Amida" (The Girl Who Crushes Despair ∞ Amida), and features Megumi Han as the voice of the titular Amida, along with the song "NO NAME" by girl band Kane yori M...

― This year's 25th issue of Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump magazine revealed the first key visual on Monday for the television anime of Gege Akutami's Jujutsu Kaisen manga. Sunghoo Park (The God of High School) is directing the anime at MAPPA. Hiroshi Seko (Attack on Titan: Lost Girls, Banana Fish, Vinland Saga) is writing and supervising the scripts. Tadashi Hiramatsu (His and Her Circumstances, Yur...

Pre-viewings were scheduled for July before October unveiling, but statue is still slated to debut this year― Sunrise announced on Monday that Evolving G, the company behind the project to create an 18-meter-high (59-foot-tall) life-size, moving Gundam statue, has canceled the statue's "Special Experience" pre-opening program in July. Evolving G has also delayed the statue's formal unveiling in Oct...

Sunday, May 24

Anime will start airing reruns on May 30― The official Twitter account for Hakushon Daimaō 2020, Tatsunoko Production's new television anime based on the 1969 Hakushon Daimaō (The Genie Family) anime, announced on Monday that the anime will begin airing reruns on May 30. The anime plans to resume new episodes with its eighth episode "on June 20 or later." The announcement noted that the changes are ...

Original anime starring Yuma Uchida, Makoto Furukawa, Hiroshi Kamiya would have debuted in July― The official website for J.C. Staff's original television anime Skate-Leading Stars announced on Monday that the anime's production committee has delayed the anime's premiere, due to the effects of the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and the resulting government declarations on the anime's production....

The Play House live music venue was the model for the venue shown in series― Given creator Natsuki Kizu drew an illustration to support The Play House, a live music house that is the model for the venue depicted in the manga. A t-shirt using Kizu's illustration will be a reward for those who back The Play House's crowdfunding campaign at the 7,000 yen (approximately US$65) tier. The crowdfunding cam...

In China, the Azur Lane smartphone game recently launched a collaboration with Pizza Hut, featuring the characters drawn in unique outfits. The Japanese Azur Lane staff in both a livestream and on the official Twitter account on Tuesday that although a collaboration with the physical Pizza Hut stores in Japan is not possible right now, they are "looking into" adding the collab to the Japanese serv...

Anime sound director Masafumi Mima (My Hero Academia, Pokémon) posted several images of the inside of a recording booth after implementing social distancing measures. In the photos, the actors are shown spaced apart with their own mic and screen setup. 音響作業を徐々に試みている。幾度と無くシュミレーションを行い、感染防止策を練っている(役者さんの感想をもとに改善中)。新作を1日も早く。それが作品を作るスタッフの共通の願いだ。役者さんを一人一人録音していては、今度はスタッフとスタジオマン達の命は、守れない。アイデア勝負の時! pic.twit...

― This year's 25th issue of Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump magazine revealed on Monday that the magazine's 26th issue on June 1 will have an "important project announcement" for Tatsuya Matsuki and Shiro Usazaki's act-age manga. The issue also teases that the manga's story will "enter a new development" in the 26th issue. Viz Media is publishing the manga in English digitally, and it describes the se...

― This year's 25th issue of Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump magazine revealed on Monday that Eiichiro Oda's One Piece manga will take a break from the 26th issue on June 1, and will return in the 27th issue on June 8. While Oda regularly takes scheduled breaks for one issue once every 1-2 months, when that happens Shueisha does not announce the break as a "hiatus" the way the company did with the anno...

Yukari Nozawa, Masayuki Akasaka, Gakuto Kajiwara join romantic comedy― The official website for the television anime of Reiji Miyajima's Rent-A-Girlfriend (Kanojo, Okarishimasu) manga posted a new 15-second commercial and a new key visual on Sunday. The website and the commercial's description announce more cast members and the anime's July 10 premiere. The commercial also previews the opening theme...

Otome mystery game releases on June 25― Aksys Games' official YouTube channel started streaming the Nintendo Switch trailer for the English version of the Collar x Malice game on Friday. The video plays the theme song "Silent Noise" by Plastic Tree and displays a release date of June 25. Idea Factory's Otomate brand released the Switch version of both Collar x Malice and Collar x Malice Unlimited bu...

Jun Maeda, Aniplex's latest brings together voice actress Ayane Sakura, director Yoshiyuki Asai― The official website for Key, Aniplex, and P.A Works' The Day I Became a God (Kami-sama ni Natta Hi) anime project announced the anime's lead voice actress and director on Sunday. Ayane Sakura (Charlotte's Nao Tomori) stars as the main heroine Hina, and Yoshiyuki Asai (Charlotte, Fate/Apocrypha) is direc...

Event planned for July 3-4― Anime Expo's official Twitter account announced on Friday that it will be hosting "Anime Expo Lite" on July 3 and July 4. The convention's official website has yet to post any details about the event and allows visitors to sign up for updates. The Twitter post features logos for Bushiroad, Crunchyroll, Pony Canyon, and Viz Media. Be the first to know what's coming. ▶️ htt...

Series of anime shorts is latest ComicFesta Anime― The official website for Ore no Yubi de Midarero. Heiten-go Futarikiri no Salon de..., the television anime adaptation of neco's Ore no Yubi de Midarero. Heiten-go no Salon, Ijiwaru ni Jirasarete manga, revealed on Sunday that the anime's eighth and final episode will air as planned on Sunday. The anime is the latest ComicFesta Anime adult anime ser...

English, French, Italian, German, Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Thai, Vietnamese subtitles confirmed― Game director Kazutaka Kodaka announced on Twitter on Friday that the Death Come True game will support subtitles in 10 languages. He later released a screenshot of the game, which shows that the language options include: English, French, Italian, German, Spanish, Chinese (simplified and traditional), K...

Saturday, May 23

Episode 5 premieres next Sunday after 4 weeks of reruns― The official Twitter account for the television anime of Sanrio's Mewkledreamy character line announced on Sunday that the anime will resume airing new episodes next Sunday, May 31. The anime had been rebroadcasting the first four episodes from May 3 to May 24 due to the effects of the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, but episode 5...

A streamed service for Zac will be held next week, the service will be online and open to anyone who wants to join. We are inviting people who have had personal experience with Zac and want to share their stories...― "feelin good today 🌟" - May 11, 2018 The staff of Anime News Network is deeply grateful to the anime community for the outpouring of support we have received in the last few days. We wo...

According to his agency, voice actor Kōsuke Ueda's hobby is making handcrafts with felt. On Twitter, he showed off that hobby by making the Hunter x Hunter character Gittarackur's face out of felt and sticking needles in it. まち針がたくさん有るのでピンクッションを作りました(^o^)#羊毛フェルト pic.twitter.com/Vh8WWTIVIP— 上田こうすけ@ﾌｪﾙﾄﾎﾞｰｲｽﾘﾑ (@ueroda) May 19, 2020 Due to the accuracy of the creation to the original character's des...

Yahoo! News reported last Friday that the paper making company Kitamura Kamiten filed for bankruptcy at the Tokyo District Court on May 14. The information was logged by financial research firm Teikoku Databank. Although Kitamura Kamiten handled a wide variety of paper making jobs, including both Japanese and western styles, the business was hit particularly hard by Comic Market 98's cancellation....

Mecha-Ude team's anime set & partly produced in Nagasaki's historical Minami Shimabara city― The official website for the short anime Kyoshin to Hyōka no Shiro (The Giant Gods and the Ice Flower Castle) announced on Friday that the first episode has been delayed from this month due to the effects of the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19). The website and the anime's social media accounts will announ...

Anime was delayed after 4th episode in April due to COVID-19― The official Twitter account for the second anime series of Takuya Mitsuda's Major 2nd baseball manga revealed on Saturday that the anime's fifth episode will air on May 30. The anime's staff had revealed on April 25 after the fourth episode that new episodes would be delayed, as the staff have suspended production of the anime due to the...

Original manga that inspired anime ended in November― The official Twitter account for Houbunsha's Manga Time Kirara magazines revealed on Saturday that Norimitsu Kaihō and Sadoru Chiba's School-Live! (Gakkō Gurashi!) manga will get a sequel titled Gakkō Gurashi! ~Otayori~ starting in the next issue of Manga Time Kirara Forward on June 24. The sequel will tell what happened to everyone after the sto...

1st volume shipped on April 8 after delay― The official website for Strike the Blood IV, the fourth OVA series for the Strike the Blood franchise, revealed on May 15 that the OVA's second volume is delayed from June 24 to July 29, due to the effects of the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. The release will contain episodes 3 and 4 of the anime. The first two-episode home video release shi...

Friday, May 22

Non Non Biyori Nonstop season reunites SILVER LINK team― The official Twitter account for the anime of Atto's Non Non Biyori manga unveiled the returning cast and staff, January 2021 premiere, title, and first key visual for the third television anime season on Saturday. The visual for the new Non Non Biyori Nonstop season features the familiar characters Renge, Hotaru, Natsumi and Komari in the lus...

Opening movie streamed for grid-based dungeon crawler game― Eastasiasoft announced on Thursday that it will release Compile Heart and Idea Factory's Moero Crystal H game for Nintendo Switch in North America and Europe this year. The company began streaming the game's opening movie, which features the song "thread a needle" by Machiko. In addition to standard physical and digital releases, the game w...

Action RPG launches in 139 regions on July 1― Square Enix, Inc. and Pokelabo Inc announced on Friday that iOS pre-registration is open worldwide for the smartphone action role-playing game SINoALICE. The companies previously opened Android pre-registration for the game, and it has received more than 1.5 million pre-registrations through Google Play. The game will launch in 130 regions for iOS and in...

Series ships on September 1 with English subs, dub― Right Stuf and Nozomi Entertainment announced during their panel at the virtual MomoConline convention on Friday that they will release the Gundam Build Divers anime on Blu-ray Disc on September 1. The release will include both English subtitles and a dub. Right Stuf describes the story: Gunpla Battle Nexus Online (GBN) is a new network game that l...

Anime's season to extend into September― The official website for the A Certain Scientific Railgun T (Toaru Kagaku no Railgun T) anime announced on Saturday that the anime's 16th episode has been delayed to July 24 due to the effects of the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. The anime's production committee planned for the anime's broadcast to end in early June, but it is now planning for ...

Evangelion director Hideaki Anno celebrated his 60th birthday on Friday, and both studio Khara and his wife Moyoco Anno have photos of him celebrating his special day in style. Anno is shown wearing a headpiece gifted to him by Khara staff and a custom Ultraman t-shirt. Khara's tweet shows him doing an Ultraman pose for extra geek points. 2020年5月22日 庵野秀明㊗️ 還暦 🎊🥳🎉🎂🎁💝#庵野秀明#還暦不行届#監督不行届#カントク不行届📸 #安野モヨ...

Sequel anime to Zoids Wild premiered in October 2019― The official website for Zoids Wild Zero, the second season of the Zoids Wild anime, revealed on Thursday that the series is delaying the 33rd and later episodes due to the effects of the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) on the show's production. The website will announce at a later date when new episodes will resume. The anime premiered in Oct...

Also: Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice Official Artworks art book― Yen Press announced three manga licenses on Friday. The company also revealed that it will publish Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice Official Artworks, an art book for FromSoftware's Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice game. The three manga and the art book are slated for release in October. Title: Sword Art Online: Progressive - Transient Barcarolle Creator...

22.9% earn no income, 57.3% have no requests for more work― The Japan Actors Union reported on Wednesday that, based on 293 respondents to its questionnaire, over 60% of freelance actors and voice actors expect to receive half their regular income or less starting in May. Among respondents, 43.3% anticipated receiving some income at half their regular income or less, and another 22.9% said they woul...

The Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba anime uses several text fonts inspired by traditional Japanese calligraphy when introducing the Pillars. The Kagerо̄, Tо̄ryū, and Kokuryū fonts were designed by the 84-year-old calligrapher Kо̄ki Sakaguchi, who works at the Kagoshima-based font production and distribution company Shо̄wa Shо̄tai. Sakaguchi's grandson Taiki, who is 31 years old, was the person who ...

Listeners character designer pomodorosa drew designs― McDonald's Japan's new Morinaga Ramune McShake hit stores around the country on Wednesday. To promote the limited-time release, the company has released a 15-second animated ad. According to the ad's animation director Yoshiki Imazu on Twitter, the ad was directed by Eiko Kawashima. pomodorosa (Listeners original character designer) provided the ...

Museums, theaters, most stores, theme parks can gradually open, but concert venues & large events are ruled out― Japan is considering lifting the state of emergency in the Tokyo metropolitan area early next week. Tokyo officials reported three new cases of the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) on Friday, which was the lowest daily number in the past two months. Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike said that...

Manga about high school boy, girl who run away from provincial hometown to Tokyo launched in 2018― The July issue of Kodansha's Dessert magazine revealed on Saturday that Taamo's Atsumori-kun's Bride-to-be (Atsumori-kun no Oyome-san [←Mitei]) manga is entering its climax. Kodansha Comics is publishing the manga digitally in English, and it describes the story: Nishiki, who lives out in the countrysi...

Kadokawa's original anime about comedy duos originally scheduled for summer― The official website for Kadokawa's original television anime Maesetsu! revealed on Friday that the series is delayed to October due to the effects of the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Both the anime's digital distribution and broadcast on Tokyo MX, AT-X, and other networks are delayed. The anime was previous...

Kiiro Yumi's spinoff manga launched in March 2014― The July issue of Hakusensha's LaLa magazine revealed on Saturday that Kiiro Yumi's Library Wars: Love & War Bessatsu-hen manga will end in three chapters. If there are no delays, the manga will end in August. The manga's final arc began on April 24, with an original story not featured in Hiro Arikawa's original light novel series. Yumi began serial...

Saori Hayami, Yōko Hikasa, Yu Kobayashi, Kanako Takatsuki join cast― The official Twitter account for Ichigo Animation and Mamoru Oshii's new anime series VladLove revealed four new cast members on Friday. The newly announced cast members are: Saori Hayami as Maki Watabe: She is the Captain of the Cinema Club who is passionate about creating films. Interested in watching and making movies, she is a ...

Hozuki's Coolheadedness director, Parasyte film writer, Evangelion designer premiere original anime on June 2 in Japan― The official website for WIT Studio's original television anime series Great Pretender began streaming the anime's "official project promotional video" on Friday. In the video, the anime's staff — WIT Studio producer George Wada, scriptwriter and series script supervisor Ryota Kosa...

New manga launches on June 26― This year's 12th issue of Shogakukan's Big Comic Superior magazine revealed on Friday that Ryoichi Ikegami's planned new manga will be a collaboration with Richard Woo (a pen name of Takashi Nagasaki), and also revealed that the manga will be a short mini-series. The manga will launch in the magazine's 14th issue on June 26. Nagasaki was the editor and supervisor of Na...

Re:ZERO, Nanoha ViVid, High School Fleet creators' anime was slated for July― The official Twitter account and website for Aniplex's original anime Warlords of Sigrdrifa (Senyoku no Sigrdrifa) announced on Friday that its broadcast and streaming has been delayed from July to October due to the spread of the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19). The anime's production committee said that the website wi...

Manga about girl joining manga industry to solve brother's death launched in 2016― The July issue of Kodansha's Morning two magazine revealed on Friday that Rensuke Oshikiri's Semai Sekai no Identity manga will enter its climax in the magazine's next issue on June 22. The manga's story begins when an aspiring manga creator is pushed off of a building and killed while on his way to submit a manga to ...

The Unlimited - Hyōbu Kyōsuke's Rokurou Ōgaki draws manga― Too Kyo Games and Studio Pierrot's official website for their original television anime series Akudama Drive revealed on Friday that the anime is inspiring a manga adaptation by Rokurou Ōgaki (The Unlimited - Hyōbu Kyōsuke). The manga will debut on Renta! with its first two chapters on July 7 with 48 pages, with 24 new pages per chapter ever...

Manga about novelist meeting son, son-in-law every Sunday launched in 2017― The July issue of Kodansha's Morning two magazine published the final chapter of Natsume Ono's Have a Great Sunday manga on Friday. Kodansha will publish the manga's fourth and final compiled book volume on August 20. The manga's story centers on novelist Rinji Sasai, who has lived in New York for a long time, but is forced ...

Taiyō to Tsuki no Hagane manga will have story stretching from 19th century and beyond― This year's 12th issue of Shogakukan's Big Comic Superior magazine revealed on Friday that Daruma Matsuura's planned new manga in the magazine is titled Taiyō to Tsuki no Hagane (The Steel of Sun and Moon), and will debut in the magazine's next issue on June 12. The magazine teased that the manga's story will be ...

Yoshiki Nakajima, Shin'ichirō Kamio star in anime with new episodes every Friday― Futabasha unveiled a mini-anime adaptation of Mito's Manly Appetites: Minegishi Loves Otsu (Minegishi-san wa Ōtsu-kun ni Tabesasetai) boys-love manga on Friday to celebrate the release of the manga's second compiled book volume on the same day. The anime will have four episodes, with the first episode already available...

Thursday, May 21

Miyuri Shimabukuro cast as Kasugatani Inka; Aimer sings opening― The official website for the anime of Atsushi Ohkubo's Fire Force (En En no Shōbōtai) manga unveiled a new promotional video, visual, cast, staff, and July premiere for the anime's second season on Friday. Crunchyroll and Funimation are streaming an English-subtitled version of the video, which reveals and previews the anime's opening ...

2nd half originally slated for July― The official website for Haikyu!! To The Top, the fourth season of the Haikyu!! anime, announced on Friday that the anime's production committee has delayed the premiere of the anime's second half. The committee cited the consideration given to the safety measures against the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. The site will announce a new premiere date ...

Game sells 6 million copies worldwide― Bandai Namco Entertainment America announced on Twitter on Thursday that Chronoa the Supreme Kai of Time will join Bandai Namco Entertainment's Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 game as a DLC character. The game's official website revealed on Thursday that the game has sold over 6 million copies worldwide. Bandai Namco Entertainment released Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 for P...

Trailer streamed for 1st game in Danganronpa trilogy― The official Twitter account for Spike Chunsoft's Danganronpa game series announced on Thursday that the Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc Anniversary Edition game has launched on iOS and Android devices. Spike Chunsoft began streaming an announcement trailer: Spike Chunsoft will also release the Danganronpa 2: Goodbye Despair and Danganronpa V3: ...

Manga's 2nd compiled volume launches on June 19― The Shonen Jump+ app and website revealed on Thursday that Bunta Kinami's RWBY The Official Manga manga will end on June 25. Shonen Jump+ also revealed that the manga's second compiled volume will launch on June 19. Kinami launched the manga in Shonen Jump+ in December 2018. Monty Oum and Rooster Teeth Productions are credited with the original work. ...

Game's physical limited edition includes soundtrack, art book― XSEED Games announced on Thursday that it will release Honey∞Parade Games' Kandagawa Jet Girls game digitally in North America for PlayStation 4 and PC via Steam this summer. The game will also get a physical day-one “Racing Hearts” edition that will include a two-disc soundtrack CD, softcover 60-page art book, and box with exclusive art...

DLC includes characters from Hunter x Hunter, Yū Yū Hakusho, Bleach, JoJo's Bizarre Adventure― Bandai Namco Entertainment America announced on Tuesday that Shoto Todoroki from My Hero Academia will launch as a playable character in the Jump Force crossover fighting game on May 26. Bandai Namco Entertainment Europe also announced that the character will launch in Europe on the same day. The character...

New TV anime by Passione was originally scheduled to premiere in July― The official website for the new Higurashi: When They Cry (Higurashi no Naku Koro ni) anime project announced on Friday that the anime has been delayed from its scheduled July premiere due to the effects of the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) on the production schedule. The staff will announce the new premiere date on the anim...

13 tour dates announced for May, June 2021― Japanese rock band FLOW announced on Friday that they have rescheduled their 2020 North American tour due to the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. They announced new tour dates in 2021, starting with a performance at the 2021 Animazement Anime Convention in Raleigh, NC. The full performance dates for FLOW's 2021 North American tour are: May 28: ...

Koei Tecmo, Gust's game launches in Japan, Europe on July 30; N. America on July 31― Koei Tecmo and Gust announced on Thursday that their Fairy Tail role-playing game is delayed to July due to the effects of the spread of the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19). The game will debut for the PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam in Japan on July 30. Koei Tecmo Europe will also release the ga...

"Okaeri" 1-shot centers on young man who meets beautiful girl after losing his brother― This year's 25th issue of Shueisha's Weekly Young Jump magazine revealed on Thursday that Masakazu Katsura and Erika Yoshida will publish a one-shot manga titled "Okaeri" (Welcome Home) in the magazine's next issue on May 28. The story will focus on a young man who has just lost his older brother, and who has a c...

Tokyo, Kanagawa, Chiba, Saitama, Hokkaido remain in state of emergency― The Japanese government announced on Thursday that it will lift the state of emergency early in the prefectures of Osaka, Kyoto, and Hyogo. All three prefectures have met the government's target of 0.5 or fewer new infections per 100,000 people in one week. Tokyo and neighboring Kanagawa prefecture have not yet met the above cri...

Overseas companies invited to participate in free event― Internet service and game developer DMM announced on Tuesday that it will host an online convention for the anime industry in late June. DMM Is setting up a "place" where everyone in the anime industry can hold business discussions and make announcements. There will be a venue where each company can go on a livestream for business negotiations...

Staff includes Mega Man: Fully Charged TV series writers A.J. Marchisello & Marcus Rinehart, artist Stefano Simeone― Boom! Studios announced on Tuesday that it is partnering with WildBrain Ltd. and Dentsu Entertainment USA to launch a six-issue comic series based on Mega Man: Fully Charged – the animated television series based on the Mega Man (Rockman) games – by the television series' writers A.J....

Franchise already has 4 TV anime seasons, 2017 theatrical anime film, 2019 OVA― The official website for the anime adaptations of Hiroshi Hiroyama's Fate/kaleid liner Prisma Illya manga announced on Thursday that the franchise will have a new anime film. The site is streaming a promotional video for the film, and Hiroyama also drew a visual for the film. Hiroyama's original manga re-imagines the Fat...

Wednesday, May 20

Saekano, Slayers, Full Metal Panic!, Date A Live, High School DxD, more titles featured― Kadokawa opened a website for its Fantasia Re:Build crossover game on Thursday. The site reveals that the game will debut on iOS and Android devices, as well as the DMM Games platform this year. The crossover game will feature characters from various light novel series under Kadokawa's Fantasia Bunko imprint, in...

June 4 Netflix season also covers "Kami no Ko Gekitotsu," "Revenge Tokyo" stories― Netflix began streaming an English-subtitled trailer for Baki: Dai Raitaisai-hen, the second new anime season of Keisuke Itagaki's Baki (New Grappler Baki: In Search of Our Strongest Hero) manga on Thursday. The video highlights the new season's Raitai tournament arc, and reveals the official English title of Baki: Th...

A new manga collection of stories inspired by the EarthBound (Mother) RPG series will hit store shelves in Japan on June 12. Pollyanna: "Mother" Official Comic will include works by artists Inio Asano, Keiichi Arawi, Masakazu Ishiguro, Minoru Toyoda, Taiyo Matsumoto, Robico, Radio Wada, and more. A total of 35 creatives contributed to the comic release and the Hobo Nikkan Itoi Shinbun YouTube acco...

Shueisha, Kodansha, Kadokawa, Shogakukan noted difficulties in identifying defendants― Judge Lewis J. Liman of the New York Southern District Court dismissed Shueisha, Kodansha, Kadokawa, and Shogakukan's joint lawsuit against the unnamed administrators of website Hoshi no Romi and three other United States-hosted websites on May 11. The four Japanese publishers had filed a notice of voluntary dismi...

14 N. American, Japanese game publishers to reveal announcements, demos― New Game+ Expo (NGPX), a collaborative initiative of 14 North American and Japanese video game publishers, announced on Wednesday that it will host a digital presentation on June 23 at 11:00 a.m. EDT. The presentation will feature dozens of games, including new title announcements and gameplay demos. A post-showcase livestream ...

Film begins streaming on Friday; One Piece TV anime's dub continues on June 2― Funimation announced on Wednesday that it will stream the One Piece Stampede anime film on its service for 60 days, starting on Friday. The company also revealed that it will begin streaming the English dub of episodes 575-587 of the One Piece anime on June 2, which will mark the dub's return on the service. Funimation sc...

Tatsuya Endō's SPY×FAMILY manga held a poll to decide Anya's "best expression" to celebrate the manga's first anniversary of serialization on Shueisha's Shonen Jump+ service. Endō produced a colored illustration of the top-voted expression, which shows a smirking Anya. Endō commented on the winning choice as follows: "Thanks to everyone who participated in the Anya Expression Poll. I figured that ...

Sites allegedly offer Team Xecuter OS allowing play of pirated games― Nintendo of America filed two separate lawsuits in the Northern District of Ohio and the Western District of Washington at Seattle on Friday against websites that allegedly resell software and devices that allow users to hack the Nintendo Switch console to play pirated copies of games. Nintendo claims in the lawsuits that Team Xec...

Game launched in Japan last October― The official website for the Z/X Code OverBoost smartphone game announced on Wednesday that the game will end service on July 20. The game is the first smartphone game in the Z/X franchise, and it launched in Japan last October. The original Z/X Zillions of enemy X trading card game advertises itself as the "first free" trading card game system because card shops...

Dai Shiina's fantasy manga launched in 2012, inspired 2014 TV anime― Dai Shiina's Soredemo Sekai wa Utsukushii manga ended in this year's combined 12th and 13th issue of Hakusensha's Hana to Yume magazine on Wednesday. The 24th compiled book volume also shipped on Wednesday, and the 25th and final volume will ship on August 20. The magazine's sixth issue had announced in February that the series wou...

A-1 Pictures series originally slated for July― The production committee for Hypnosis Mic -Division Rap Battle- Rhyme Anima, the television anime of the Hypnosis Mic mixed-media franchise, announced on Wednesday that the anime's broadcast and streaming premiere has been delayed from July to October. The committee explained that it is prioritizing the health and safety of the staff and cast, in light...

Maki Katsuragi, Tōma Shinjō shown in new footage after TV anime's finale― The official website for the Stars Align television anime began streaming a "Special Fan Movie" short on Wednesday. The "memorial promotional video" with new footage is set two years after the television anime's finale, when Maki Katsuragi, Tōma Shinjō, and others are now in high school. Stars Align anime director Kazuki Akane...

Overflow director, writer, studio HōKIBOSHI adapt BL fantasy with broadcast & explicit "premium" editions― The official website for the anime shorts of ITKZ's boys-love manga The Titan's Bride (Kyojinzoku no Hanayome) opened on Wednesday and unveiled a new cast member, the main staff, July 5 television premiere, character designs, and a key visual for the anime. Noriko Fujimoto joins the cast as Med...

Video was exclusively shown on tower's observation deck until it closed due to COVID-19― The Tokyo Skytree tower streamed its exclusive original collaboration video with Square Enix titled "SKYTREE in MIDGAR FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE" on Wednesday. The video is available on the Tokyo Skytree's official YouTube channel until June 1. It first debuted at Tokyo Skytree's observation deck, over a panorami...

Originally slated for Switch in Japan this month― The official website for Mainichi♪ Emiya-sanchi no Kyō no Gohan (Every Day: Today's Menu for Emiya Family), the Nintendo Switch game based on the net anime of TAa's Today's Menu for Emiya Family (Emiya-sanchi no Kyō no Gohan) manga, announced on Wednesday that the game's release has been postponed due to the spread of the new coronavirus disease (COV...

Neighboring Kyoto, Hyogo also considered; 8 prefectures remain under state of emergency― NHK reported on Wednesday that the Japanese government is considering lifting the state of emergency in the neighboring prefectures of Osaka, Kyoto, and Hyogo on Thursday. The government is closely monitoring the situation in Tokyo to possibly make a decision on that metropolis as well. Eight prefectures in Japa...

Originally slated for early summer― The official Japanese blog for Sayonara, Tyranno (Annyeong, Tyrano: Yeong-wonhi, Hamkke or My Tyrano: Together, Forever), the Chinese-Japanese-South Korean co-produced animated film based on Tatsuya Miyanishi's Tyrannosaurus series of children books, announced on Wednesday that the film's Japanese opening has been postponed. The staff cited to the new coronavirus ...

Tuesday, May 19

Junichi Suwabe joins cast; Sunghoo Park directs anime at MAPPA― The official website for the television anime of Gege Akutami's Jujutsu Kaisen manga began streaming the anime's first promotional video on Wednesday. The video reveals more cast, staff, and the anime's October premiere. Junichi Suwabe joins the cast as the character Sukuna Ryōmen. Sunghoo Park (The God of High School) is directing the ...

Smartphone RPG launches for iOS, Android in June― The official English Twitter account for Bandai Namco Entertainment's Tales of Crestoria smartphone game began streaming an English-subtitled character trailer for Aegis on Monday. The game is slated for release for iOS and Android devices in early June. An open beta test of the English version of the game launched for Android in Canada and Indonesia...

All 3 light novel series won qdopp's World Novel Project competition― The Honeyfeed web novel community website announced on Tuesday that it has begun digitally publishing the following light novels: Burned Out Heroes by big bear and artist Tierla It's My First Time Working Late Nights at a Convenience Store, and If I Keep Getting Demon Lords, Kappa and Other Oddballs as Customers, I'm Giving My Two...

Gundam series collaborates with King Oscar sardines brand― The Gundam series is collaborating with the King Oscar Sardines brand for the sake of a very lame pun. Sardine packets with the iconic Gundam character Char Aznable's face are being sold in Japan, so you could call them... Char-dines. King Oscar Sardines launched a 30-second ad for the product last Thursday, which shows Char being very impre...

Figures were appraised to have a manufacturer's suggested retail price of almost US$604,000― U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) reported that its officers seized 86,400 Pokémon figures in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania last Wednesday. The shipment, which arrived from Hong Kong and labeled as “plastic furnishing articles,” contained 15 boxes of figures that were appraised to have a value of US$603,93...

― Sega announced on Twitter on Tuesday that it will launch its Phantasy Star Online 2 game on PC via the Microsoft Store in North America on May 27. The game will have cross-platform play with the Xbox One version. The company also revealed that the game is getting a collaboration with the Hatsune Miku franchise that began on Tuesday. Sega released the free-to-play Phantasy Star Online 2 role-playin...

Anime of CLAMP's manga premiered in 1998― Netflix announced on Twitter on Monday that it will begin streaming the Cardcaptor Sakura anime in the United States and Canada on June 1. The company began streaming a video clip from the English Animax dub. Dust off your wands and return to Clamp's legendary world of a magical girl and her card-capturing quest! Cardcaptor Sakura series Clow Card and Sakura...

Limited-time service has 15 songs, requires Konami ID― The Dance Dance Revolution game's official Twitter account announced last Thursday that it will launch a version of Dance Dance Revolution V on PC. The Japanese version has launched an open alpha test with 15 songs. アーケードで大人気の”DanceDanceRevolution”がPCに新登場!!その名は”DanceDanceRevolution V”アーケードで人気の15曲を携えて、期間限定無料プレーで配信中!こぞってプレーにご参加いただければ幸いです。#DDRVhttp...

The BNA: Brand New Animal television anime released a crossover image with the anime film Promare on its website on Monday. Both titles are original works created at Trigger. The collaboration image was drawn by Promare character designer Shigeto Koyama, and shows BNA: Brand New Animal characters Michiru and Shirou standing back-to-back in the foreground, while Promare characters Galo and Lio appr...

Main manga story ended last October― Shogakukan is listing a 20th volume for Nao Maita's Age 12 (12-sai.) manga for release on July 1. The volume will include new stories set after the characters graduate from elementary school and move on to junior high. Maita ended the manga in Shogakukan's Ciao magazine last October. Maita launched the manga in 2012, and the series entered a new "finale" arc titl...

Kaiji spinoff launched in 2015, inspired anime in 2018― The official Twitter account for Kodansha's Comic Days manga app revealed on Tuesday that the Kaiji spinoff manga Mr. Tonegawa: Middle Management Blues (Chūkan Kanriroku Tonegawa) will end in three chapters. The manga focuses on the "agonizing daily life of Teiai Group executive Yukio Tonegawa, who gets into conflicts with Hyōdō and the black s...

Kei Sasuga's romantic drama launched in 2014, inspired winter 2019 TV anime― This year's 25th issue of Kodansha's Weekly Shonen Magazine revealed on Wednesday that Kei Sasuga's Domestic Girlfriend (Domestic na Kanojo) manga will end in three chapters in the magazine's 28th issue. If there are no delays, the manga will end on June 10. The magazine previously revealed that the manga will end with the ...

Ushio & Tora creator Kazuhiro Fujita teased final arc in 2018― The 17th compiled book volume of Kazuhiro Fujita's Sou-Bou-Tei Kowasu Beshi (Sou-Bou-Tei Must Be Destroyed) manga revealed on Monday that the series will enter its final arc with the 18th volume, which is slated for release in July. Fujita had said in April 2018 that the manga was on the verge of its "climactic" final arc, and that there...

Square Enix originally slated "experience" to launch for iOS, Android, Amazon this spring― The official Twitter account for the Kingdom Hearts Dark Road smartphone game revealed on Monday that the game is delayed "due to current conditions." The developers said that they were previously "trying to find some means" to release the game in spring. The game will have another announcement in early June. ...

Hiroshi Hiraoka, Daisuke Furuya work on manga― The June issue of Shueisha's Ultra Jump magazine revealed on Tuesday that Kentarō Katayama and Yamato Yamamoto's Denpa teki na Kanojo (The Girl Who Can See Things) novels are inspiring a manga adaptation that will launch in the magazine's next issue on June 19. Hiroshi Hiraoka is drawing the art, while Seraph of the End: Vampire Reign storyboarder Daisu...

Console's release delayed from March 19 due to COVID-19― Konami announced last Friday that the TurboGrafx-16 mini console will ship in North America on Friday, May 22. Konami has not announced a release date for European PC Engine CoreGrafx mini version of the console, but stated that it is "keeping a close eye on the situation." Konami delayed the March 19 North American release of the TurboGrafx-1...

The Motion Pictures Producers Association of Japan (MPPA) reported on Monday that 12 major Japanese film distributors earned 688 million yen (about US$6.40 million) combined at the box office in April — a 96.3% decrease from last year, and the lowest month ever since the MPPA began tallying monthly box office receipts in 2000. Box office performance fell 90% in the first weekend of April compared ...

― A new trend has recently appeared on Twitter across the world through the hashtag #sailormoonredraw. As you can guess, the point consists in redrawing Sailor Moon, from the titular anime, in your own style. So far, a lot of artists—both professionals and fans— are playing the game, offering mesmerizing artworks or... funny ones. Here is a selection from the illustrators Balak, Synecdoche (Plus-Siz...

Online version of international animation film festival runs from June 15-30― The Annecy International Animation Film Festival announced on Monday the official selection of films that will compete at this year's event. Takashi Yamazaki's Lupin III THE FIRST and Yūta Murano's Seven Days War films will compete in the Features category. Kenji Iwaisawa's On-Gaku: Our Sound and Eiji Han Shimizu's True No...

Director Kazuki Akane wonders when, where movie will get release― Stars Align anime director Kazuki Akane reported on Twitter on Monday that the series' "special fan movie" is complete. Akane added that he is wondering when and where the movie will get a release. The "special fan movie" is a "memorial" promotional video. The Stars Align anime also received a "special collaboration movie" that began ...

Shin Godzilla, Akira 4K remaster also rank in top 10 at box office― Film news firm Kōgyō Tsūshin resumed reporting the box office rankings in Japan on Monday after 100 theaters reopened this past weekend. Many theaters remain closed in Tokyo, Osaka, Kanagawa, and other metropolitan areas due to the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, and Kōgyō Tsūshin compiled ticket sales data for about on...

Both series begin streaming with English subtitles, dubs on Tuesday― Funimation announced on Monday that it will begin streaming the Your Lie in April and Katsugeki Touken Ranbu anime from Aniplex with English subtitles and an English dub on Tuesday. Funimation will stream the television anime adaptation of Naoshi Arakawa's Your Lie in April (Shigatsu wa Kimi no Uso) manga in the U.S. and Canada. Fu...

Koyoharu Gotouge also trends on Twitter after tabloid claims to have insider info as manga ends― Weekly Shonen Jump's editorial department posted on Twitter on Monday to warn of a fake account posing as Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba creator Koyoharu Gotouge. The account is believed to have used the handle @GotogeKoyoharu, although it has since been deleted. Even LiSA, the singer of the Demon Slayer...

DLC character debuts on May 20 for 3rd season pass holders, launches on May 22― Bandai Namco Entertainment America began streaming a launch trailer for the Dragon Ball FighterZ game's DLC character Ultra Instinct Goku on Monday. The DLC character will launch on May 22 as part of the game's "FighterZ Pass 3" season. Players with the pass will receive access to the character on May 20. Kefla, the firs...

My Hero Academia, Plunderer, A Certain Scientific Railgun T, more debuted last week― Funimation announced on Saturday that it will debut the fourth English-dubbed episode of the Fruits Basket 2nd Season anime on Monday at 1:30 p.m. EDT. Funimation also began streaming the following English-dubbed episodes last week: My Hero Academia episode 86: May 10 at 12:00 p.m. EDT Plunderer episode 12: May 13 a...

Series premiered on Korean television in May 2019― Hulu announced in a newsletter on Friday that it will stream the Korean live-action series My Absolute Boyfriend starting on June 8. The series is a live-action adaptation of Yuu Watase's Absolute Boyfriend manga, and originally aired on Korean television from May 2019 to July 2019. A Korean live-action adaptation Watase's manga was first announced ...

New story's school is named "Yuigaoka Girls High School"― The official website for the Love Live! franchise unveiled a video for the franchise's new television anime on Monday. The video highlights the previously revealed characters, and also reveals "Yuigaoka Girls High School" as the name of the school in the story. As in previous Love Live! series, fans decided on the name through votes. The char...

37-year-old also wrote Otomen, I''s, Tensai Bakubon live-action series― The theater troupe "Poppin Mushroom Chicken Yarō" announced on Monday that its chairman, scriptwriter Kōta Fukihara, passed away from a brain hemorrhage on Sunday morning. He was 37. Fukihara was born in Fukuoka in 1982, and he founded the theatre troupe in 2005. He wrote the script for the 2009 live-action Otomen series based o...

Oscar-nominated animator Koji Yamamura produced "Bath House of Whales" short― Mizuki Kiyama's "Bath House of Whales" ("Kujira no Yu") animated short won the Lotte Reiniger Promotion Award for Animated Film at the Stuttgart International Festival of Animated Film in Germany on May 10. The short is streaming on Knowledge Capital's YouTube channel. The festival's website posted videos of the jury annou...

Seven Seas licensed seaside romance story between single mother, woman starting over― The July issue of Ichijinsha's Comic Yuri Hime magazine revealed on Monday that Naoko Kodama's Days of Love at Seagull Villa (Umineko-sō Days) yuri manga will enter its climax in the magazine's next issue on June 18. Seven Seas Entertainment has licensed the manga, and it will release the first compiled book volume...

Seven Seas Entertainment licensed original isekai novels about pursuing otome game's villainess― The July issue of Ichijinsha's Comic Yuri Hime magazine revealed on Monday that Inori and Hanagata's I'm in Love with the Villainess (Watashi no Oshi wa Akuyaku Reijō) yuri light novel series is inspiring a manga adaptation by Aonomoto that will launch in the magazine's next issue on June 18. Inori poste...

BD/DVD release previously slated for June 17; rental DVD release on July 8 also delayed indefinitely― The official website for the My Hero Academia anime announced on May 8 that the sixth and final Blu-ray Disc and DVD home video release of the anime's fourth season has been delayed indefinitely due to circumstances related to the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. The release was initiall...

Saori Onishi, Kaede Hondo, Mariya Ise, Rina Hidaka, Asami Seto, Natsumi Fujiwara join cast― The official Twitter account for Koushi Tachibana's Date a Live franchise announced the cast members for the theatrical anime adaptation of Yuichiro Higashide's Date A Live Fragment: Date A Bullet spinoff novels on Monday. The account also confirmed that the anime's title is Dead or Bullet, and will be a preq...

Sunday, May 17

― This year's 24th issue of Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump magazine revealed on Monday that Food Wars! Shokugeki no Soma manga creators Yūto Tsukuda and Shun Saeki will publish a one-shot in the magazine's 25th issue on May 25. The one-shot is titled "Yūgen to Jorei Gakkyū" (Yūgen and the Class of Female Spirits). The story centers on an issue that crops up at a girls high school for young women from...

Bozebeats' Ryōji Hirano draws spinoff about Kyōjurō Rengoku― Koyoharu Gotouge's Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba manga ended in this year's 24th issue of Weekly Shonen Jump magazine on Monday. The issue also announced that Ryōji Hirano will launch a short spinoff manga titled Kimetsu no Yaiba: Rengoku Gaiden centering on the Flame Hashira character Kyōjurō Rengoku. The magazine did not give a premiere...

Studio produced "Shishigari" anime short that premiered at Fantasia Festival last year― Yuki Nagano from the animation studio Studio Durian confirmed with ANN on Sunday that the company is looking to produce a feature-length film version of its "Shishigari" anime short. Nagano stated that right now the film is in its planning stage, and is looking to gather funds. As such, Studio Durian does not yet...

― Shinchosha's Kurage Bunch website is listing that it will publish a new two-chapter manga by Nodoka Shinomaru on the website on May 22 and May 29. The manga is titled "Spice kitchen car at the daybreak" ("Yoake no Spice Kitchen Car"). Shinomaru launched the Udon no Kuni no Kiniro Kemari (Poco's Udon World) manga in Shinchosha's Comic Bunch magazine in 2012. Kurage Bunch published the final chapter...

New play will star Neeko, Takeshi James Yamada― The official website for the stage play adaptations of Akira Amano's Reborn! manga announced on Friday that a fourth stage play is in the works. The play is titled Katekyō Hitman Reborn! the Stage: Secret Bullet, and is based on a five-volume spinoff novel series of the same name. The stage play will star: Neeko (Reborn! anime's lead voice actress) as ...

Manga's 1st volume debuts on June 10 ahead of film's worldwide release on Netflix on June 18― Kadokawa's Comic Newtype website debuted a manga on Thursday based on Studio Colorido's second feature-length anime film A Whisker Away (Nakitai Watashi wa Neko o Kaburu or Wanting to Cry, I Pretend to Be a Cat). Kyōsuke Kuromaru is drawing the manga. The manga's first complied volume will ship on June 10. ...

Manga inspired TV anime last July with 2nd season in the works― Atsushi Ohkubo hinted in the author commentary in the 23rd volume of the Fire Force (En En no Shōbōtai) manga on Friday that the manga was in its final stage. Ohkubo stated, "the story is also in its final stage, and for me, I plan for this to be my last manga, so please accompany me until the very end." The manga's 24th volume is sched...

Saturday, May 16

Zeta Gundam, Unicorn, Char's Counterattack, Hathaway's Flash collaborate with the Japanese Derby― The Gundam franchise's latest collaboration with the Japan Racing Association (JRA) may not be the most ambitious crossover event, but it does involve promoting the Japanese Derby with four Gundam anime: Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam, Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn, Mobile Suit Gundam: Char's Counterattack, and M...

New song premieres in episode 7― The official Twitter account for the television anime of Kei Toume's Sing "Yesterday" for Me (Yesterday o Utatte) manga announced on Saturday that Sayuri (theme songs for Golden Kamuy season 2, Scum's Wish, My Hero Academia season 4) is performing the new theme song "Aoibashi" for the anime. The theme song will premiere with the show's seventh episode. The anime prem...

― The official Twitter account for the Power Rangers franchise revealed the Power Rangers Dino Fury title and the logo for the 28th season of the series on Friday. The show will premiere on Nickelodeon in 2021, and will feature footage from the Kishiryū Sentai Ryūsoulger series. Kishiryū Sentai Ryūsoulger, the 43rd series in the live-action Super Sentai franchise since 1975, premiered in March 2019....

Series based on Kenji Hamaoka's manga premiered on April 10― The official website for the live-action series adaptation of Kenji Hamaoka's Urayasu Tekkin Kazoku (Super Radical Gag Family) manga revealed on Saturday that the show is going on hiatus after the sixth episode due to the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) effecting the show's filming schedule. The sixth episode aired on Friday. Channels w...

Friday, May 15

3 group members reunite for 1st time since hiatus for event on May 22― The official website for idol group 9nine announced on Friday that the group will reunite for the first time following its hiatus to offer an online event for fans during the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) situation. The "9nine online event 2020 ~ONLINE no ON9NINE!~" event will take place on the Showroom live-streaming platfo...

Non-binding guidelines mark first local government ordinance in Japan aimed at combating video game addiction― Kyodo News reported on Thursday that a mother and her 17-year-old son have filed a lawsuit against the Kagawa Prefecture, claiming that a recent ordinance restricting video game playing time among children is "unconstitutional" and "violates fundamental human rights." They are seeking 1.54 ...

New trailer also streamed― XSEED Games announced on Friday that it will release Marvelous' Story of Seasons: Friends of Mineral Town (Bokujō Monogatari: Saikai no Mineral Town) game for the Nintendo Switch in North America on July 14. The company began streaming a trailer for the announcement. The game's physical version is available for pre-order now, and people who pre-order from the XSEED Games S...

Digimon Adventure, Digimon Adventure 02, Digimon Tamers, Digimon Frontier return to service with English dubs― Toei Animation announced on Twitter on Friday that the following anime in the Digimon franchise are streaming on Hulu with English dubs. Digimon AdventureDigimon Adventure 02Digimon TamersDigimon Frontier Hulu previously streamed the four Digimon anime series, but it removed them last J...

'In the anime industry, there's a silent pressure not to make political statements. To hell with that.'― Girls und Panzer and Shirobako director Tsutomu Mizushima posted a tweet with the hashtag #検察庁法改正案に抗議します (I oppose the revision of the public prosecutor's office law) on Saturday. The hashtag refers to opposition to a proposed bill being discussed in parliament currently, which would raise the re...

Jeannie Tirado, Griffin Burns, Bryce Papenbrook, more cast in dub premiering on Saturday― Crunchyroll announced on Friday the English dub cast for the My Next Life as a Villainess: All Routes Lead to Doom! anime. The cast includes: Jeannie Tirado as Catarina Claes Griffin Burns as Geordo Stuart Bryce Papenbrook as Alan Stuart Griffin Puatu as Keith Claes Nicolas Roye as Nicol Ascart Melissa Fahn as ...

English-subtitled video previews story of animal-humans― Netflix announced on Friday that it will begin streaming Trigger's original television anime BNA: Brand New Animal in the United States on June 30. The company began streaming an English-subtitled promotional video for the series. When a tanuki girl and a wolf boy meet, beautiful things can happen. BNA arrives June 30th. pic.twitter.com/njQ3ee...

RPG launches in N. America on June 2, Europe on June 5, Oceania on June 12― NIS America began streaming an English trailer on Thursday for its release of the PlayStation 4 version of GAME FREAK's Little Town Hero role-playing game. The video introduces gameplay basics. NIS America will release the game on June 2 in North America, June 5 in Europe, and June 12 in Oceania. The company will release the...

Yudetamago's series went on hiatus on April 20― Manga creator duo Yudetamago announced on Thursday that they are extending the hiatus of their Kinnikuman manga due to the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) situation. They will announce an updated return date in the future. The break began on April 20 and was originally slated to end on May 18. The announcement noted that the spread of COVID-19 in Ja...

270 episodes planned to begin streaming through March― The official YouTube channel for the ATASHIn'CHI anime began streaming the series' first two episodes with English subtitles on Friday. Shinei Animation and AlphaBoat are planning to begin streaming about 270 episodes of ATASHIn'CHI and the Shin ATASHIn'CHI sequel from Friday to March 2021. Two new episode will debut on every weekday during the ...

Sword Art Online: Alicization War of Underworld Part 2 still aims for July; Cannes Film Festival canceled― Kyoto Animation announced on Monday that it has extended its work hiatus due to the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) situation until the end of May. The studio originally announced on April 10 that work would only go on hiatus starting on April 13 for one month. During the hiatus, the company...

― The official Twitter account for the Thunderbolt Fantasy puppet-show franchise revealed a visual on Friday for the show's third season. The final episode of Thunderbolt Fantasy Sword Seekers (Thunderbolt Fantasy: Tōriken Yūki 2), the show's second season, announced the third season in December 2018. Taiwanese company Pili also began streaming a video on Thursday for the third season. The first sea...

― Nippon Ichi Software announced on Friday that it is delaying the release of the Nintendo Switch version of the OZMAFIA!! -vivace- game from July 23 to August 27 due to "various circumstances." Poni-Patchet released the original visual novel game in 2013 on PC, and released a PlayStation Vita port titled OZMAFIA!! -vivace- in February 2015. The new port for Switch will feature an original short sto...

Yūsuke Kobayashi, Sora Amamiya star in fantasy series― The official website for the television anime of author Kei Sazane and illustrator Ao Nekonabe's Our Last Crusade or the Rise of a New World (Kimi to Boku no Saigo no Senjō, Arui wa Sekai ga Hajimaru Seisen) light novel series began streaming the show's first promotional video on Friday. The video reveals the show's main cast. Yūsuke Kobayashi a...

New novel will be short story collection centered on Sanemi Shinazugawa― Shueisha announced on Friday that Koyoharu Gotouge's Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba manga will have a third novel titled Kimetsu no Yaiba: Kaze no Michishirube (Kimetsu no Yaiba: The Wind's Telltale Signs). The book will be a short story collection, but will primarily center on the Wind Hashira, Sanemi Shinazugawa. Shueisha wil...

Episode was previously slated to debut this month― The official Twitter account for Pokémon: Twilight Wings (Hakumei no Tsubasa) ⁠— Studio Colorido's net anime short series for the Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield Nintendo Switch role-playing games ⁠— announced on Friday that the anime's fifth episode is delayed to June 5 due to the effects of the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) on the show's pro...

Episode was previously delayed from April 2 air date due to "circumstances"― The official website for the television anime of late author Tomohiro Matsu's Hatena Illusion light novel series announced on Friday that the anime will air its 12th episode on BS NTV on June 3, on Tokyo MX on June 5, and on MBS on June 8. The episode was previously slated to air on April 2, but the show's production commit...

Manga launched in December 2018― The June issue of Kodansha's Shonen Magazine Edge revealed on Friday that Yūichirō Momose and Rui Karasuzuki Hypnosis Mic: Before the Battle - The Dirty Dawg manga will reach the climax of its "main story" in the magazine's next issue on June 17. The manga debuted in Shonen Magazine Edge in December 2018. The issue that debuted the manga also featured it on the cover...

Natsuno no Kyō manga centers on tea shop owner who can hear music from people― The June issue of Shogakukan's Big Comic Zōkan magazine revealed on Friday that manga creator Seizou Watase will launch a new manga titled Natsuno no Kyō (Natsuno's Kyoto) in the magazine's August issue on July 17. The manga will have a color opening page. The manga centers on Natsuno, a woman who has the ability to hear ...

Tomori Kusunoki, Katsuyuki Konishi star in anime; Konomi Suzuki, Kashitarō Itō perform opening, ending songs― The official website for the original television anime series Deca-Dence revealed the cast, theme song artists, July premiere, more staff, and a new visual for the anime on Friday. Funimation also revealed the story and character details for the anime. Funimation describes the anime's story:...

― The official website for the television anime of Sou Hamayumiba's Dropout Idol Fruit Tart (Ochikobore Fruit Tart) manga revealed character visuals on Friday for three characters. The site previously announced the voice actresses for the characters in April. The characters with the new visuals include: Kaoru Sakura as Chiko Sekino, a Cream Anmitsu idol unit member Yū Sasahara as Nua Nakamachi, a Cr...

Thursday, May 14

Director, writer, composer for 1st Love Live! School idol project anime return for anime― The official website for the Love Live! franchise unveiled a new visual, the character names, and the staff for the franchise's new television anime on Friday. The seventh volume of Kadokawa's Love Live! Days Love Live! Sōgō Magazine will reveal more details on the character's profiles on Monday. The characters...

Producer Takeshi Yamanaka cites COVID-19, quality improvements as reasons for delay― Arc System Works producer Takeshi Yamanaka announced on Friday that the company is delaying the release of the Guilty Gear -Strive- fighting game from late 2020 to early 2021. Yamanaka stated regarding the delay: While our company's staff and our business partners are putting in a sincere effort in dealing with the ...

Original anime by Too Kyo Games, Studio Pierrot was originally scheduled to premiere in July― Too Kyo Games and Studio Pierrot's official website for their original television anime series Akudama Drive revealed on Friday that the anime is delayed from July to October due to the effects of the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19). The site is streaming a new version of the same promotional video it de...

'What's the deal with the social distancing?' line changed to 'Why are you so far away from me?'― Aniplex of America announced on its official Twitter account on Thursday that it has updated the subtitles of Kaguya-sama: Love is War Season 2's fifth episode to correct a translation error. The company apologized for the inconvenience caused to viewers and thanked them for their understanding. In the ...

An elementary schoolboy has modeled the Dimensional Infinity Fortress depicted in Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba with the 3DCG software Blender, according to a Twitter user who identifies as the child's parent. According to the Twitter user, who goes by the name of "Decopon," the child is almost entirely self-taught in using Blender through watching YouTube videos about the software. 小学校休校中の息子がyou...

8 anime begin streaming on Thursday― Crunchyroll announced on Thursday that it will begin streaming the following City Hunter television anime series, specials, and films on Thursday at 6:00 p.m. EDT in the U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. City Hunter 3 TV anime City Hunter '91 TV anime City Hunter: The Secret Service TV special City Hunter: Goodbye My Sweetheart TV special Ci...

― The organizers of the EVO 2020 video game tournament revealed details of the EVO Online event on Wednesday. The online event will run for five weekends "with special exhibitions and content for EVO 2020's original lineup." The event will run on July 4-5, July 11-12, July 18-19, July 25-16, and July 31-August 2. As previously announced, the event will feature the Granblue Fantasy Versus, Dragon Bal...

Publisher ships Red Flowers in January 2021, Tono Monogatari in March 2021― Drawn & Quarterly announced on Thursday that it will publish Yoshiharu Tsuge's Red Flowers and Shigeru Mizuki's Tono Monogatari manga. Drawn & Quarterly will publish Tsuge's Red Flowers manga in Jaunary 2021. The company describes the story: The title story, “Red Flowers,” highlights the nuance and empathy that made Tsuge's ...

Streaming events offer Akira, The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya, The Girl Who Leapt Through Time in May― Funimation and virtual reality theater company Bigscreen announced on Thursday that they are expanding the films available through their partnership to Canada, the U.K., Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand on Friday. The partnership is offering more than 30 films, and it will add more titles t...

Ben Diskin, Reba Buhr, Erica Mendez, Cherami Leigh, Veronica Taylor cast in dub premiering on Thursday― Crunchyroll announced on Thursday the English dub cast for The 8th son? Are you kidding me? anime. The cast includes: Ben Diskin as Adult Wendelin Reba Buhr as Elise Erica Mendez as Iina Cherami Leigh as Louise Veronica Taylor as Wilma The English dub will premiere on Thursday, and new dubbed epis...

― The French magazine Numéro published an interview with Yoshiki, musician and founder of X Japan, on Wednesday. The magazine highlights the history of the artist, from his time as a child to his newest projects #SING4LIFE, and an upcoming collaboration with Marilyn Manson. Yoshiki stated he worked with his "great friend" and globally known artist Marilyn Manson on new titles that should be released...

Smartphone RPG launches for iOS, Android in June― The official English Twitter account for the Tales of Crestoria smartphone game began streaming a character trailer for Vicious on Wednesday. Bandai Namco Entertainment began streaming the video with English subtitles on Thursday. The Twitter account also debuted a Misella character trailer on Monday. The game is slated for release for iOS and Androi...

― Sega revealed on Thursday that the Thunder Force AC game will launch in the West for the Nintendo Switch as part of the Sega Ages project on May 28. The game launched in Japan on Thursday, and Sega is streaming a video for the game. The game will feature an arcade mode, a "Kids Mode," two different sets of leaderboards, the option to save and view replays, and enhancements such as stereo sound. Se...

Manga launched in 2012, ended in 2018, inspired ongoing animated series― The June issue of Shogakukan's Coro Coro Comics magazine revealed on Friday that Yasunari Nagatoshi will resume their Zo Zo Zombie manga in the magazine's next issue in June. The manga launched in Shogakukan's Coro Coro Comics magazine in November 2012, and ended with its 11th volume in February 2018. Yen Press licensed the man...

Game already inspired earlier manga in Shogakukan's Ciao magazine― The June issue of Shogakukan's Coro Coro Comics magazine revealed on Friday that Animal Crossing: New Horizons, the latest entry in the Animal Crossing game franchise, is inspiring a manga series that will launch in the magazine's next issue in June. The current issue also published a one-shot manga for the game. Kokonasu Runpa drew ...

Video previews Nintendo series' 1st title in 4 years― Nintendo announced the Paper Mario: The Origami King game on Thursday for release for the Nintendo Switch on July 17. The company began streaming an announcement trailer for the game. Nintendo describes the game: The kingdom has been ravaged by an origami menace! Join Mario and his new partner, Olivia, as they battle evil Folded Soldiers, repair ...

Limited-time open alpha offers 15 popular songs― Konami announced on Thursday that it will release the Dance Dance Revolution V game for PC. The company is currently running an open alpha test for a limited time, and 15 popular arcade songs are available in the release. A date for the end of service has not been decided. Players with a Konami ID can participate in the alpha. Players can use their ke...

Sequel to Root Letter launches in Japan on July 30 after delay― Kadokawa Games began streaming the second trailer for its Root Film game for Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4 on Thursday. The video introduces the game's main and secondary characters. The game will debut in Japan on July 30 after a delay. The game was originally slated to launch on April 23. PQube and Kadokawa Games had announced las...

Switch version of fandisc ships in Japan on July 16― The official website for Idea Factory's Otomate brand began streaming a new promotional video for the Nintendo Switch version of its Code:Realize ~Shirogane no Kiseki~ game on Thursday. The video highlights the game's characters, and previews the exclusive new content for the Switch version, including a beach scenario. The game will ship in Japan ...

Manga's 1st new volume in 6 years ships on June 30― Shogakukan is listing the 17th compiled book volume of Seimu Yoshizaki's Kingyo Used Books manga as the final volume. The volume will ship on June 30. The 16th volume debuted six years ago in July 2014. Viz Media released the manga's first four volumes in English, and it describes the story: This manga bookstore has a thousand stories to tell. "A b...

I Want to Eat Your Pancreas anime film earns 1.7% rating― The anime film of Yoru Sumino's I Want to Eat Your Pancreas novel aired on NHK-E on Saturday, May 2 at 9:00 p.m., and it earned a 1.7% rating. The 2007 animated film Nezumi Monogatari - George to Gerald no Bōken aired on NHK-E on Wednesday, April 29 at 9:00 a.m., and it earned a 2.0% rating. The Gekijōban Osaru no George 4 Ōji de Gozāru! anim...

Noma leaves 2 manga in Puzzle Game series unfinished― Manga publisher Hakusensha announced on Thursday that manga creator Miyuki Noma passed away on May 2 due to ischemic heart disease. She was 59. Noma's family held a private funeral on May 4. Noma was known for drawing primarily with shojo and mystery manga, and is perhaps best known for the Puzzle Game mystery manga series, which ran in Hakusensh...

Namikawa plays wandering albatross Pinga― The official website for Trigger's original television anime BNA: Brand New Animal revealed on Thursday that Daisuke Namikawa has joined the anime's cast as the character Pinga, a man with a wandering albatross form. He loves the sky, and is proud of his heritage as a migratory bird who wanders the world. The character appeared in the anime's seventh episode...

Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Chiba, Saitama, Kanagawa, Hyogo, Hokkaido remain in state of emergency― The Japanese government announced on Thursday that it will lift the state of emergency early in 39 of the country's 47 prefectures. The remaining eight prefectures that will remain in a state of emergency are Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Chiba, Saitama, Kanagawa, Hyogo, and Hokkaido. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will f...

Wednesday, May 13

Producer confirms Ghibli's 2nd new film is Goro Miyazaki's CG anime based on English story― Studio Ghibli producer Toshio Suzuki told Entertainment Weekly in an article published on Wednesday that the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has not affected Ghibli's progress on Hayao Miyazaki's next feature film, Kimi-tachi wa Dō Ikiru ka (How Do You Live?). He added that the staff has completed 36 minut...

My Hero Academia's official Twitter account has been posting comparison videos of the original key animation in certain scenes from the anime's fourth scenes with the final product. The first video is of Deku and Gentle Criminal's fight from episode 85, while the second video shows class 1-A's performance at the culture festival from episode 86. (NOTE: These videos may contain spoilers for those n...

Set including all 26 episodes, OVA ships on July 14― Aniplex of America announced on Wednesday that it will release a complete Blu-ray Disc box set for the Fate/stay night Unlimited Blade Works television anime on July 14. The set will include all 26 episodes from the anime's first and second seasons and the "sunny day" original video anime (OVA). The release will include eight Blu-ray Discs. Bonus ...

Twitter user @azuraPKM1542 recently posted a ranking of the most popular Pokémon to be tagged in R-18 art on the art website Pixiv, as of May 4, 2020. The rankings are revealed in the tweet below (read on at your own risk, lest your perception of these Pokémon change forever): 裏ポケモン総選挙 2020年版(Pixivポケモン別R-18イラストランキング TOP50) pic.twitter.com/suxDpiyEC4— アズラ ラティ (@azuraPKM1542) May 6, 2020 The English...

Video previews visual novel's remastered release― Sekai Games announced on Tuesday that it will release Alice in Dissonance's fault - milestone one game for the PlayStation 4 on May 22. The company began streaming a trailer for the announcement. The remastered release will include a new soundtrack and high-resolution visuals. Sekai Games describes the visual novel's story: When a sudden assault deva...

― Sony revealed on Wednesday in its financial results presentation for the fiscal year 2019 (April 1, 2019 to March 31, 2020) that it shipped 1.5 million PlayStation 4 units during the quarter ending on March 31, bringing the console's worldwide total to 110.4 million units. The 1.5 million units shipped is down from 2.6 million units shipped during the same period of the previous fiscal year. Sony ...

Kira Etō, LINK work on Shūmatsu no Harem: Britannia Lumiere manga launching on June 26― The official Twitter account for LINK and Kotaro Shono's World's End Harem (Shūmatsu no Harem) science-fiction manga announced on Tuesday that the manga is inspiring a third spinoff manga titled Shūmatsu no Harem: Britannia Lumiere, centering on "boys who fight to find their one goddess." The manga will launch on...

Lai-Hung previously worked as Netflix's Japan content director, global anime head― Crunchyroll announced on Tuesday that it has brought on Julian Lai-Hung as head of content strategy and business development for the J-APAC (Japan, Asia-Pacific) region. In his new Tokyo-based position, Lai-Hung will oversee content strategy, original projects, and identifying new opportunities with partners. Lai-Hung...

Summer Troupe's arc starts on May 18 after COVID-19-related delay― The official website for the television anime of Liber Entertainment's A3! actor-training smartphone game began streaming a promotional video for the A3! Season Spring & Summer series' "Season Summer" arc on Wednesday. The next arc featuring the Summer Troupe starts with episode 7 on May 18. The cast of the Summer Troupe are: Takuya ...

Gekijōban Pocket Monster Koko was slated for July 10― The official website for the Pokémon films announced on Wednesday that Gekijōban Pocket Monster Koko, the 23rd anime film in the franchise, has been delayed due to the spread of the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Toho had originally planned to open the film on July 10. The films' website and social media accounts will announce the new openin...

Band co-founder worked on Galaxy Express 999, "Monkey Magic," Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor, Taito games― Takami Asano, guitarist and backing vocalist of the band Godiego, passed away on Tuesday, May 12. He was 68. His family found him collapsed in his home on Tuesday morning, and he was rushed to a Tokyo hospital, but was pronounced dead there. He will have a memorial service on a later date. ...

Tuesday, May 12

Premiere was delayed twice due to COVID-19― The official website for Bushiroad's Cardfight!! Vanguard franchise announced on Wednesday that Cardfight!! Vanguard Gaiden if, the newest anime series in the franchise, will premiere TV Aichi and TV Tokyo on May 30 at 8:00 a.m. The anime was previously delayed from its original April 11 premiere to April 25 due to the effects of the new coronavirus diseas...

Film was originally scheduled to open on June 26― The official website for Eiga Soreike! Anpanman Fuwafuwa Fuwari to Kumo no Kuni (Soreike! Anpanman the Movie: Fluffy Fuwari and the Cloud Country), this year's Anpanman anime film, announced on Wednesday that the film's opening has been delayed indefinitely for the safety of theatergoers amid the spread of the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19). The ...

Film delayed indefinitely from original May 15 opening date― The official Twitter account for the live-action project of Sumito Ōwara's Eizouken ni wa Te o Dasu na! (Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken!) manga began streaming a 30-second teaser trailer for the film on Wednesday. The video previews the "Greatest World" imagination segments in the film, and highlights the Robot Club's robot model. The film w...

Soda recently ended Change! manga last December― Kodansha's Days Neo website is listing a recruitment notice for an assistant for manga creator Masahito Soda to work on a new manga serialization on Kodansha's Monthly Shonen Magazine. The position is listed with an expected 12 hours of work daily for around 16-18 days every month, beginning in late May. Soda ended the Change! manga (seen right) last ...

Voice actress Kotori Koiwai, who has her own recording studio set up at home, streamed an ASMR (Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response) video on April 22 to help her listeners rest easy during these difficult times. In her announcement tweet, she said that she used a Neumann KU100 dummy head microphone. Koiwai has previously claimed that she can do narration, dialogue, and song recordings all inside...

― The June issue of Akita Shoten's Bessatsu Shōnen Champion magazine revealed on Tuesday that Eiji Masuda (My Monster Secret, pictured right) will launch his new manga serialization in the magazine's September issue on August 12. Masuda launched Jitsu wa Watashi wa in the magazine in 2013, and ended the series in February 2017. Akita Shoten published the manga's 22nd and final compiled volume on Mar...

Game launches in N. America, Europe for PS4 this fall, Switch/PC in 2021― NIS America began streaming an English story trailer on Tuesday for The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel IV game, the fourth installment in Nihon Falcom's Trails of Cold Steel role-playing game series. The game will launch in North America and Europe for the PlayStation 4 this fall, and for the Nintendo Switch and PC in ...

Both series are created by Kōji Kumeta― The TV anime adaptation of Kōji Kumeta's Kakushigoto manga is getting a collaboration CD with Sayonara, Zetsubou-Sensei, one of the artist's earlier series. The Kakushigoto voice cast will perform songs alongside the "Zetsubou Shoujo 2020" unit, which consists of the voice actors of the girls class 2-he. Sayonara, Zetsubou-Sensei theme song artist Kenji Ohtsuk...

Anime begins streaming on Tuesday― Crunchyroll announced on Tuesday that it will begin streaming the City Hunter 2 television anime on Tuesday at 6:00 p.m. EDT in the U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. Crunchyroll describes the anime: Whether he's hired as a bodyguard or troubleshooter, Ryo Saeba, the legendary City Hunter, never misses his target. This volume memorably features...

BLAME! and Knights of Sidonia manga creator Tsutomu Nihei has designed a stylized word font in Japanese called "TOA Heavy Industries." The font is named after Nihei's joint venture with Polygon Pictures Holdings, the principal shareholder of 3DCG anime studio Polygon Pictures. The company is working together with Iwata Corporation to develop and release the font, which they plan to release in fall...

Titles slated for April-May will now release between June-November― Tokyopop announced on Friday the release dates for several manga titles that had been delayed due to the effects of the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19). The company had announced in April that it was delaying the release of 14 titles. The following titles are now set to debut between June and November: Don't Call Me Daddy Release...

Creator went on maternity leave in May 2019― The June issue of Kodansha's Bessatsu Friend magazine revealed on Wednesday that Atsuko Nanba's Come on-a My House (Kamona My House) manga will resume in the next issue on June 13. The manga's return will include one chapter from the main series and one side-story chapter. The series went on hiatus on May 13, 2019 due to Nanba going on maternity leave. Th...

Film retelling 2018 television anime was slated for May 29― The official website for Shōjo☆Kageki Revue Starlight Rondo Rondo Rondo, the compilation film of the Shōjo☆Kageki Revue Starlight franchise's television anime, announced on Tuesday that the film has been postponed due to the spread of the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19). The film's production committee will reveal the new release date on...

Game to feature new engine, graphics― Natsume and Rising Star Games announced the Harvest Moon: One World game for release for the Nintendo Switch in North America and Europe in fall 2020. The game will have a new engine and graphics. Nintendo U.K. describes the game: Explore a world of new and familiar faces, unique villages and adventurous challenges, while managing your growing farm. Can you imag...

The Promised Neverland manga artist Posuka Demizu drew an image in support of the Stay Home campaign, which encourages people to self-isolate in order to curb the spread of COVID-19. The image was posted on The Promised Neverland's official Twitter account last Thursday, and shows the three protagonists wearing masks. Ray reads a book while Norman recovers in bed, while Emma communicates with Norm...

Pair worked together on Fairy gone, ClassicaLoid, Dr. Stone, more― Voice actress Mikako Komatsu announced on Tuesday that she has married fellow voice actor Tomoaki Maeno. The prolific voice actors have worked together on more than a dozen anime including Fairy gone, ClassicaLoid, Pretty Rhythm Rainbow Live, Say "I love you.", Dr. Stone, Gangsta., and Yu-Gi-Oh! Zexal. Komatsu's anime roles include F...

Episode 8 replaced with 1st of 5 episode reairings next week― The official Twitter account for the television anime/live-action series of Moriko Mori and Cota Tomimura's Gal & Dino (Gal to Kyōryū) manga announced on Tuesday that the series is delaying future episodes due to the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) making part of the series' production process difficult. While episode 7 will air on Sat...

Akari Kitō, Junya Enoki star in Seven Arcs' fall anime helmed by Hiroshi Ikehata― The official Twitter account for the television anime of Kenjirō Hata's Fly Me to the Moon (Tonikaku Kawaii or literally, Generally Cute) manga posted a promotional video that unveiled the anime's main cast, main staff, and two matching teaser visuals on Wednesday. The video features the voices of the two main cast mem...

Sci-fi harem manga centers on 1 of last 5 males in virus-stricken world― Shueisha announced on Tuesday that Kotaro Shono's World's End Harem science-fiction manga is inspiring a television anime that will premiere in 2021. Shono posted an illustration to celebrate the news: The manga's 82nd chapter teased on Sunday that the manga will have an "important announcement" on Wednesday to mark the manga's...

Season 5's episode 3 and beyond delayed while rerun of season 4 continues― The official website for Food Wars! Shokugeki no Soma: The Fifth Plate, the fifth season of the Food Wars! Shokugeki no Soma anime, announced on Tuesday that episode 3 and later episodes will be delayed further "until July or later" due to the effects of the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19). (Unlike the Japanese version of ...

Shinkawa, Sakurai play college students who fall in love with Katsutoshi Imai in summer special― The official website for live-action television spinoff special for the Kyou Kara Ore Wa!! franchise's upcoming live-action film revealed two new cast members and a new visual on Tuesday. Yua Shinkawa and Hinako Sakurai star in the special as Nami and Shiori, respectively. Both are college students who f...

Actress played Minami in Pastel Memories, Kasumi in Encouragement of Climb Season 3― Voice actress Ai Yamamoto announced on Twitter on Tuesday that she has married the person whom she has been seeing. In her handwritten message, she said that she will be continuing her work as a voice actor and thanked everyone who supported her. このような時期に私事で大変恐縮ですが、応援してくださる皆様にご報告がございます。 pic.twitter.com/VPiNLBLWJH— ...

Artist Sakumi Hagiwara makes voice acting debut in anime with fictional version of his grandfather― The staff for the television anime of Kei Ii's Woodpecker Detective's Office (Kitsutsuki Tantei-Dokoro) mystery novel revealed on Tuesday that artist, director, and actor Sakumi Hagiwara will make his voice acting debut in the anime's sixth episode next week. Hagiwara's character (seen below) is the m...

NHK: Tokyo, some other prefectures still expected to maintain state of emergency― NHK reported on Tuesday that the Japanese government will decide on Thursday whether to lift the country's state of emergency early in more than 30 prefectures in the country. However, NHK added that even if the state of emergency is lifted in these prefectures, Tokyo and some other prefectures are still expected to ma...

PS4 version includes new content that will also be added to Switch version via patch― ININ Games announced on Monday that it will release Taito's Bubble Bobble 4 Friends game on the PlayStation 4 in America, Europe, and Australia this winter. Taito will also release the game on PS4 in Japan. The game will include additional content not available in the previous Nintendo Switch version, but the new c...